perhaps years of sorrow. He has been very foolish to remember
Clara's childhood as he does remember it. But, my dear Herbert, what
can we do? You lords of creation sometimes will be foolish even
about such trifling things as women's hearts."

And then, when Herbert still persisted that Owen's conduct had been
inexcusable and ungentlemanlike, she softly flattered him into
quiescence. "You must not forget," she said, "that he perhaps has
loved Clara almost as truly as you do. And then what harm can he do?
It is not very probable that he should succeed in winning Clara away
from you!"

"Oh no, it is not that I mean. It is for Clara's sake."

"And she, probably, will never see him again till she is your wife.
That event will, I suppose, take place at no very remote period."

"As soon as ever my father's health will admit. That is if I can
persuade Clara to be so merciful."

"To tell the truth, Herbert, I think you could persuade her to
anything. Of course we must not hurry her too much. As for me, my
losing her will be very sad; you can understand that; but I would
not allow any feeling of my own to stand in her way for
half-an-hour."

"She will be very near you, you know."

"Yes, she will; and therefore, as I was saying, it would be absurd
for you to quarrel with Mr. Owen Fitzgerald. For myself, I am sorry