What he says about Lord Ongar is simply some part of his scheme.

You see what his scheme is, Harry ?" "What is his scheme ?" "Simply this--that I should be frightened into becoming his wife.

My darling bosom friend Sophie, who, as I take it, has not quite managed to come to satisfactory terms with her brother--and I have no doubt her price for assistance has been high--has informed me more than once that her brother desires to do me so much honor.

The count, perhaps, thinks that he can manage such a bagatelle without any aid from his sister; and my dearest Sophie seems to feel that she can do better with me herself in my widowed state, than if I were to take another husband.

They are so kind and so affectionate; are they not ?" At this moment tea was brought in, and Clavering sat for a time silent with his cup in his hand.