Clarissa gave a faint sigh, and bent a little lower over her work.
"Well, child, are you not surprised? have you nothing to say?" cried Lady
Laura, rather impatiently.
"I—I daresay they are very nice people," Clarissa answered, nervously. "But the truth is—I know you must despise me for such folly—I cannot help associating them with our loss, and I have a kind of involuntary dislike of them. I have never so much as seen them, you know—not even at church; for they go to the gothic chapel which Mr. Granger has built in his model village, and never come to our dear little church at Arden; and it is very childish and absurd of me, no doubt, but I don't think I ever could like them."
"It is very absurd of you, Clary," returned my lady; "and if I could be angry with you for anything, it certainly would be for this unjust prejudice against people I want you to like. Think what a nice companion Miss Granger would be for you when you are at home—so near a neighbour, and really a very superior girl."
"I don't want a companion; I am used to being alone."
"Well, well, when you come to know her, you will like her very much, I daresay, in spite of yourself; that will be my triumph. I am bent upon bringing about friendly relation, between your father and Mr. Granger."
"You will never do that, Lady Laura."
"I don't know. I have a profound faith in my own ideas."
* * * * *