property was all to go to her nephew. But Clara entertained no thought
of rebelling, and had agreed to make the accustomed journey in
November, travelling then, as she did on all such journeys, at her
aunt's expense.

Two things only occurred to disturb her tranquillity before she went,
and they were not of much violence. Mr Wright, the clergyman, called at
Belton Castle, and in the course of conversation with Mr Amedroz
renewed one of those ill-natured rumours which had before been spread
about Mrs Askerton. Clara did not see him, but she heard an account of
it all from her father.

'Does it mean, papa,' she said, speaking almost with anger, 'that you
want me to give up Mrs Askerton?'

'How can you be so unkind as to ask me such a question?' he replied.
'You know how I hate to be bothered. I tell you what I hear, and then
you can decide for yourself.'

'But that isn't quite fair either, papa. That man comes here'

'That man, as you call him, is the rector of the parish, and I've known
him for forty years.'

'And have never liked him, papa.'

'I don't know much about liking anybody, my dear. Nobody likes me, and
so why should I trouble myself?'

'But, papa, it all amounts to this that somebody has said that the