Her dress was of light blue, somewhat low-necked, and over her bust she wore beautiful lace, with sleeves of the same material.
Charley had not intended to speak to her.
But, as she was about to leave the room, he mustered all his firmness, and calmly said—
“Miss Clara, I——”
She turned her face, now slightly flushed, and said—
“Sir?” very coldly.
He placed a chair for her in the deepest shadows of the room, and said—
“Miss Haylark, you will really excuse me being so rude, but your looks are so sad of late, and your manners so altered towards me, that I am perplexed and concerned to know the cause.
“You, Clara, who were my only friend in hours of adversity, surely you will not follow the example of the world, and look upon me with contempt or disdain?
“I am unworthy to address you, it is true, but do—I beg of you to explain what I have done to destroy that friendship which has so long existed between us?