but somebody whom he remembers to have been like you. He says that the
lady was a Miss Vigo.' As she pronounced the name, Clara turned her
face away, feeling instinctively that it would be kind to do so.

'Miss Vigo!' said Mrs Askerton at once; and there was that in the tone
of her voice which made Clara feel that all was not right with her. 'I
remember that there were Miss Vigos; two of them, I think. I didn't
know that they were like me especially.'

'And he says that the one he remembers married a Mr Berdmore.'

'Married a Mr Berdmore!' The tone of voice was still the same, and
there was an evident struggle, as though the woman was making a
vehement effort to speak in her natural voice. Then Clara looked at
her, feeling that if she abstained from doing so, the very fact of her
so abstaining would be remarkable. There was the look of pain on Mrs
Askerton's brow, and her cheeks were still pale, but she smiled as she
went on speaking. 'I'm sure I'm flattered, for I remember that they
were both considered beauties. Did he know anything more of her?

'No; nothing more.'

'There must have been some casual likeness I suppose.' Mrs Askerton was
a clever woman, and had by this time almost recovered her
self-possession. Then there came a ring at the front door, and in
another minute Mr Belton was in the room. Mrs Askerton felt that it was
imperative on her to make some allusion to the conversation which had
just taken place, and dashed at the subject at once. 'Clara tells me
that I am exactly like some old friend of yours, Mr Belton.'