But he was a man somewhat diffident of himself, though sufficiently conscious of the value of the worldly advantages which he possessed;--and he was, perhaps, a little afraid of Clara, giving her credit for an intellect superior to his own.
He had promised to walk with her on the Saturday after the reading of the will, intending to take her out through the gardens down to a farm, now belonging to himself, which lay at the back of the town, and which was held by an old widow who had been senior in life to her late landlady; but no such walk had been possible, as it was dark before the last of the visitors from Taunton had gone.

At breakfast on Sunday he again proposed the walk, offering to take her immediately after luncheon.

"I suppose you will not go to church ?" he said.
"Not to-day.

I could hardly bring myself to do it to-day." "I think you are right.

I shall go.