She could not pass these hours without talking to him, and she felt that she could not talk to him naturally and easily.

It would, however, be but for once, and she would bear it.
They went together down to the house of Mrs.Partridge, the tenant, and made their kindly speeches to the old woman.

Mrs.Partridge already knew that Captain Aylmer was to be her landlord, but having hitherto seen more of Miss Amedroz than of the Captain, and having always regarded her landlady's niece as being connected irrevocably with the property, she addressed them as though the estate were a joint affair.
"I shan't be here to trouble you long;--that I shan't, Miss Clara," said the old woman.
"I am sure Captain Aylmer would be very sorry to lose you," replied Clara, speaking loud, and close to the poor woman's ear, for she was deaf.
"I never looked to live after she was gone, Miss Clara;--never.

No more I didn't.

Deary;--deary! And I suppose you'll be living at the big house now; won't ye ?" "The big house belongs to Captain Aylmer, Mrs.Partridge." She was driven to bawl out her words, and by no means liked the task.