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CHAPTER XLIV.
UNDER THE SHADOW OF ST. GUDULE.
It was about half an hour before noon on the following day when Clarissa arrived at Brussels, and drove straight to her brother's lodging, which was in an obscure street under the shadow of St. Gudule. Austin was at work in a room opening straight from the staircase—a bare, shabby-looking chamber—and looked up from his easel with profound astonishment on beholding Mrs. Granger with her maid and baby.
"Why, Clary, what in the name of all that's wonderful, brings you to
Brussels?" he exclaimed.
"I have come to live with you for a little while, Austin, if you will let me," she answered quietly. "I have no other home now."
Austin Lovel laid down his palette, and came across the room to receive her.
"What does it all mean, Clary?—Look here, young woman," he said to Jane Target; "you'll find my wife in the next room; and she'll help you to make that youngster comfortable.—Now, Clary," he went on, as the girl curtseyed and vanished through the door that divided the two rooms, "what does it all mean?"
Clarissa told him her story—told it, that is to say, as well as she could tell a story which reflected so much discredit upon herself.
"I went to the Rue du Chevalier Bayard at 5 on Tuesday—as I promised, you know, Austin—and found Mr. Fairfax there. You may imagine how surprised I was when I heard you were gone. He did not tell me immediately; and he detained me there—talking to me."