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I don't think I ever knew a girl who danced so pleasantly giving herself no airs, you know as Mary Vigo. 'Her name was Mary, said Belton, remembering that Mrs Askerton's name was also Mary. 'Jack Berdmore married Mary. 'Well now, Joe, you must find out for me what became of her. Was she with her husband when he died? 'Nobody was with him. Phil told me so.
Colonel Askerton's assumed gravity had given way to ordinary eagerness, during which he walked about the room in the vehemence of his argument; and Clara, in answering him, had also put forth all her strength.
She could not very well make her appearance at Plaistow Hall, and say that she had come there for shelter and succour. She could, indeed, go to Mrs Askerton's cottage for awhile; and the more she thought of the state of her affairs, the more did she feel sure that that would, before long, be her destiny.
Clara had seen her friend's maiden name, Mary Oliphant, written in a book, and seeing it had alluded to it. On that occasion Mrs Askerton had spoken of herself as having been an Oliphant, and thus Clara had come to know the fact. But now, as she made her way to the cottage, she remembered that she had learned nothing more than this as to Mrs Askerton's early life.
'A Mr Berdmore! Clara as she repeated the name felt convinced that she had heard it before, and that she had heard it in connexion with Mrs Askerton. She certainly had heard the name of Berdmore pronounced, or had seen it written, or had in some shape come across the name in Mrs Askerton's presence; or at any rate somewhere on the premises occupied by that lady.
She uttered no words, however, but gently putting her arm around Mrs Askerton's waist, stood there close to her, looking out upon the cold wintry flower-beds not venturing to turn her eyes upon her companion. The motion of her arm was at first very gentle, but after a while she pressed it closer, and thus by degrees drew her friend to her with an eager, warm, and enduring pressure.
This house belongs to you. Then, before she could answer him, he had left the room and she listened to his heavy quick footsteps as he went across the hall and out of the front door. He walked across the park and entered the little gate of Colonel Askerton's garden, as though it were his habit to go to the cottage when he was at Belton.
There was the look of pain on Mrs Askerton's brow, and her cheeks were still pale, but she smiled as she went on speaking. 'I'm sure I'm flattered, for I remember that they were both considered beauties. Did he know anything more of her? 'No; nothing more.
But her curiosity was now greatly raised; and, indeed, Mrs Askerton's manner was so strange, her vehemence so unusual, and her eagerness to rush into dangerous subjects so unlike her usual tranquillity in conversation, that Clara did not know how to answer her. 'I know nothing of any questioning, she said. 'I am sure you don't.
She had been very angry with him; but I think she loved him better when, her sermon was finished than she had ever loved him before. There was no further question as to her going to Aylmer Castle, nor was any mention made of Mrs Askerton's invitation to the cottage.
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