'That's long since over and done with and forgotten.' 'No, no; not forgotten.

Clara knows, an' that's partly why she makes so little of me; I know it is.' 'I don't believe it! She's a good-hearted girl--' A heavy footstep on the stairs checked him.

The door was thrown open, and there entered a youth of nineteen, clad as an artisan.

He was a shapely fellow, though not quite so stout as perfect health would have made him, and had a face of singular attractiveness, clear-complexioned, delicate featured, a-gleam with intelligence.

The intelligence was perhaps even too pronounced; seen in profile, the countenance had an excessive eagerness; there was selfish force about the lips, moreover, which would have been better away.