I am sorry on your brother's account, for Patrick was very fond of him--" "Not half so fond as I am," thought Clara to herself.

But she did not dare to speak her thoughts out loud.
"But I am quite sure that your brother, young as he is, will not continue to associate with a friend who has thought so slightly of his sister's honour.

Of course I shall let Mr.Fitzgerald know that he can come here no more; and all I want from you is a promise that you will on no account see him again, or hold any correspondence with him." That was all she wanted.

But Clara, timid as she was, hesitated before she could give a promise so totally at variance with the pledge which she felt that she had given, hardly an hour since, to Fitzgerald.

She knew and acknowledged to herself that she had given him a pledge, although she had given it in silence.