Had her communication to him been accepted in a different spirit, she might probably have kept her secret from Mrs.Askerton till something further had been fixed about her marriage; but she was in want of a few kind words, and pined for some of that encouragement which ladies in love usually wish to receive, at any rate from some one chosen friend.

But when she found herself alone with Mrs.Askerton she hardly knew how to tell her news; and at first could not tell it at all, as that lady was eager in speaking on another subject.
"When do you expect your cousin ?" Mrs.Askerton asked, almost as soon as Clara was seated.
"The day after to-morrow." "And he is in London now ?" "He may be.

I dare say he is.

But I don't know anything about it." "I can tell you then that he is.

Colonel Askerton has heard of his being there." "You seem to speak of it as though there were some offence in it.