When we buckle on our armour in any cause, we are apt to go on buckling it, let the cause become as weak as it may; and Clara continued her intimacy with Mrs.Askerton, although there was something in the lady's modes of speech, and something also in her modes of thinking, which did not quite satisfy the aspirations of Miss Amedroz as to a friend.
Colonel Askerton himself was a pleasant, quiet man, who seemed to be contented with the life which he was leading.

For six weeks in April and May he would go up to town, leaving Mrs.Askerton at the cottage,--as to which, probably jovial, absence in the metropolis there seemed to be no spirit of grudging on the part of the wife.

On the first of September a friend would come to the cottage and remain there for six weeks' shooting; and during the winter the Colonel and his wife always went to Paris for a fortnight.

Such had been their life for the last two years; and thus,--so said Mrs.Askerton to Clara,--did they intend to live as long as they could keep the cottage at Belton.

Society at Belton they had none, and,--as they said,--desired none.