The question now is, what answer did you give to what he said ?" Clara, who was still kneeling, looked up piteously into her mother's face, sighed bitterly, but said nothing.
"He told you that he loved you, I suppose ?" "Yes, mamma." "And I suppose you gave him some answer?
Eh! my dear ?" The answer to this was another long sigh.
"But, Clara, you must tell me.

It is absolutely necessary that I should know whether you have given him any hope, and if so, how much.
Of course the whole thing must be stopped at once.

Young as you are, you cannot think that a marriage with Mr.Owen Fitzgerald would be a proper match for you to make.

Of course the whole thing must cease at once--at once." Here there was another piteous sigh.

"But before I take any steps, I must know what you have said to him.