Though Clara had passed out of her world since those first days of illness, Jane held her in a memory which knew no motive of retention so strong as gratitude.

The thought of harm or sorrow coming upon her protector had a twofold painfulness.

Instantly she divined that Clara was in some way the cause of Sidney Kirkwood's inability to go into the country to-day.

For a long time the two had been closely linked in her reflections; Mrs.Peckover and Clem used constantly to exchange remarks which made this inevitable.

But not until now had Jane really felt the significance of the bond.