Clara returned the kiss; Clara answered, sadly and submissively, "I do love you, Lucy.

I _will_ try." Having answered in those terms, she sighed to herself, and said no more.
It would have been plain, only too plain, to far less observant eyes than Mrs.Crayford's that no salutary impression had been produced on her.

She had ceased to defend her own way of thinking, she spoke of it no more--but there was the terrible conviction of Frank's death at Wardour's hands rooted as firmly as ever in her mind! Discouraged and distressed, Mrs.Crayford left her, and walked back toward the house..