"I love the truth. Why should it offend me?"
"Lady Clara, I have almost resolved to make a confidante of you."
Clara brushed some fallen leaves from a rock, near which they were standing, and sat down, motioning him to take the vacant place by her side.
"There—now let us begin."
"Do you guess why I did not come before, Lady Clara?"
"No—I have not the least idea. Perhaps you did not like me, or were shocked with my hat; poor thing, it is getting awfully shabby."
"Shall I tell you?"
"Of course; why not?"
"Because the old gentleman over yonder and my lady at Houghton, had set their hearts upon it."
"Set their hearts upon it. How?"