From the fire which had flashed from her eyes on that day when she accused the world of saying ill-natured things of him, Lady Desmond had been sure that such was the case.

But she had never ventured to probe her child's heart.

She had given very little confidence to Clara, and could not, therefore, and did not expect confidence in return.
Nor was Clara a girl likely in such a matter to bestow confidence on any one.

She was one who could hold her heart full, and yet not speak of her heart's fulness.

Her mother had called her a child, and in some respects she then was so; but this childishness had been caused, not by lack of mental power, but want of that conversation with others which is customary to girls of her age.