"Elizabeth shall bring you some tea."
"Tea for me!" cried Miss Jupp, bluntly. "I couldn't drink a drop. It would choke me."
"Is your throat bad, Mary Jupp?" asked Mrs. Chester.
"No; only my temper."
A frightened look in Clara's eyes, a pleading gaze that went right into Mary Jupp's. The young lady, doing violence to her inclinations, shut up her month resolutely, and folded her hands upon her lap, and spoke not another word, good, bad, or indifferent.
The curious meeting came to an end, brought to a summary close by Mrs. Chester. That lady, not altogether liking the aspect of affairs, and privately wishing Miss Jupp at the antipodes, thought it good to take herself away, and leave, so to say, well alone. Lady Ellis and Clara Lake shook hands for the last time in life.
"I wish you well," Clara whispered.
"Thanks," airily answered my lady.
Mr. Lake, in the very commonest politeness, went down with them. As they stood in the garden Mrs. Chester went back to get her muff, and they waited for her.
"Are you reconciled to me, Mr. Lake?" asked Lady Ellis.