Lady Desmond felt that she had done her duty by her daughter; but her tenderness to Clara was not increased by the fact that her foolish attachment had driven Fitzgerald from the place.

As for Clara herself, she not only kept her word, but rigidly resolved to keep it.

Twice she returned unopened, and without a word of notice, letters which Owen had caused to be conveyed to her hand.

It was not that she had ceased to love him, but she had high ideas of truth and honour, and would not break her word.

Perhaps she was sustained in her misery by the remembrance that heroines are always miserable.
And then the orgies at Hap House became hotter and faster.