nearest to her when she had been a child. Clara had seen her friend's
maiden name, Mary Oliphant, written in a book, and seeing it had
alluded to it. On that occasion Mrs Askerton had spoken of herself as
having been an Oliphant, and thus Clara had come to know the fact. But
now, as she made her way to the cottage, she remembered that she had
learned nothing more than this as to Mrs Askerton's early life. Such
being the case, she hardly knew how to ask any question about the two
names that had been mentioned. And yet, why should she not ask such a
question? Why should she doubt Mrs Askerton? And if she did doubt, why
should not her doubts be solved?

She found Colonel Askerton and his wife together, and she certainly
would ask no such question in his presence. He was a slight built, wiry
man, about fifty, with iron-grey hair and beard who seemed to have no
trouble in life, and to desire but few pleasures. Nothing could be more
regular than the course of his days, and nothing more idle. He
breakfasted at eleven, smoked and read till the afternoon, when he rode
for an hour or two; then he dined, read again, smoked again, and went
to bed. In September and October he shot, and twice in the year, as has
been before stated, went away to seek a little excitement elsewhere. He
seemed to be quite contented with his lot, and was never heard to speak
an angry word with any one. Nobody cared for him much; but then he
troubled himself with no one's affairs. He never went to church, and
had not eaten or drank in any house but his own since he had come to
Belton.

'Oh, Clara, you naughty girl,' said Mrs Askerton, 'why didn't you come
yesterday? I was expecting you all day.'

'I was busy. Really, we've grown to be quite industrious people since