On the Friday the poor lady had said much on the subject, but had been comforted by an assurance from her nephew that the arrangement should be carried out exactly as she wished it, whether the codicil was or was not added to the will.

To Clara she said nothing more on the subject, nor at such a time did Captain Aylmer feel that he could offer her any assurance on the matter.

But Clara knew that the will was not altered; and though at the time she was not thinking much about money, she had, nevertheless, very clearly made up her own mind as to her own conduct.

Nothing should induce her to take a present of fifteen hundred pounds,--or, indeed, of as many pence from Captain Aylmer.
During those hours of sickness in the house they had been much thrown together, and no one could have been kinder or more gentle to her than he had been.

He had come to call her Clara, as people will do when joined together in such duties, and had been very pleasant as well as affectionate in his manner with her.