He could do the work better, he thought; down at Clavering than in London.

But Sir Hugh was altogether of a different opinion.

Though he had already asked his sister-in-law to Clavering, when the idea had first come up, he was glad that she had declined the visit.

Her coming might be very well, if she accepted Archie; but he did not want to be troubled with any renewal of his responsibility respecting her, if, as was more probable, she should reject him.

The world still looked askance at Lady Ongar, and Hugh did not wish to take up the armor of a paladin in her favor.