He WAS in love with Mrs.Peyton! That was what his doubts and hesitation regarding Susy meant.

That alone was the source, secret, and limit of his vague ambition.
But with the conviction came a singular calm.

In the last few moments he seemed to have grown older, to have loosed the bonds of old companionship with Susy, and the later impression she had given him of her mature knowledge, and moved on far beyond her years and experience.
And it was with an authority that was half paternal, and in a voice he himself scarcely recognized, that he said:-- "If I did not know you were prejudiced by a foolish and indiscreet woman, I should believe that you were trying to insult me as you have your adopted mother, and would save you the pain of doing both in HER house by leaving it now and forever.

But because I believe you are controlled against your best instinct by that woman, I shall remain here with you to frustrate her as best I can, or until I am able to lay everything before Mrs.Peyton except the foolish speech you have just made." The young girl laughed.

"Why not THAT one too, while you're about it?
See what she'll say." "I shall tell her," continued Clarence calmly, "only what YOU yourself have made it necessary for me to tell her to save you from folly and disgrace, and only enough to spare her the mortification of hearing it first from her own servants." "Hearing WHAT from her own servants?
What do you mean?
How dare you ?" demanded the young girl sharply.
She was quite real in her anxiety now, although her attitude of virtuous indignation struck him as being like all her emotional expression, namely, acting.
"I mean that the servants know of your correspondence with Mrs.
McClosky, and that she claims to be your aunt," returned Clarence.