Perhaps it is better that you should know that it has been written." Then she read the letter, which was as follows:-- "Plaistow Hall, -- July, 186--." Though she had never before seen the handwriting, she knew at once from whence came the letter, for she had often heard of Plaistow Hall.

It was the name of the farm at which her distant cousin, Will Belton, lived, and her father had more than once been at the trouble of explaining to her, that though the place was called a hall, the house was no more than a farmhouse.

He had never seen Plaistow Hall, and had never been in Norfolk; but so much he could take upon himself to say, "They call all the farms halls down there." It was not wonderful that he should dislike his heir; and, perhaps, not unnatural that he should show his dislike after this fashion.

Clara, when she read the address, looked up into her father's face.

"You know who it is now," he said.