"I've got nothing to do with it." Clara, perceiving that matters were not going quite pleasantly between her old and new friend, thought it best to take her departure.

Belton, as he went, lifted his hat from his head, and Clara could not keep herself from thinking that he was not only very handsome, but that he looked very much like a gentleman, in spite of his occupation as a farmer.
"By-bye, Clara," said Mrs.Askerton; "come down and see me to-morrow, there's a dear.

Don't forget what a dull life I have of it." Clara said that she would come.

"And I shall be so happy to see Mr.Belton if he will call before he leaves you." At this Belton again raised his hat from his head, and muttered some word or two of civility.

But this, his latter muttering, was different from the first, for he had altogether regained his presence of mind.
"You didn't seem to get on very well with my friend," said Clara, laughing, as soon as they had turned away from the cottage.
"Well, no;--that is to say, not particularly well or particularly badly.