She paused, therefore, and sat with a doubtful, hesitating look, meditating some mode of escape.

"I am all ears," said Mrs.Askerton; and Clara thought that she discovered something of ridicule or of sarcasm in the tone of her friend's voice.
"I believe I'll put it off till another day," she said.
"Why so?
You don't think that anything really important to you will not be important to me also ?" "I'm sure of that, but somehow--" "You mean to say that I have ruffled you ?" "Well;--perhaps; a little." "Then be unruffled again, like my own dear, honest Clara.

I have been ruffled too, but I'll be as tranquil now as a drawing-room cat." Then Mrs.Askerton got up from her chair, and seated herself by Clara's side on the sofa.

"Come; you can't go till you've told me; and if you hesitate, I shall think that you mean to quarrel with me." "I'll come to you to-morrow." "No, no; you shall tell me to-day.

All to-morrow you'll be preparing for your cousin." "What nonsense!" "Or else you'll come prepared to vindicate him, and then we shan't get on any further.