* * * * * CHAPTER XIX. MR. GRANGER IS PRECIPITATE. Clarissa had little sleep that night. The image of George Fairfax, and of that dead soldier whom she pictured darkly like him, haunted her all through the slow silent hours. Her mother's story had touched her to the heart; but her sympathies were with her father. Here was a new reason why she should shut her heart against Lady Geraldine's lover, if any reason were wanted to strengthen that sense of honour which reigns supreme in a girl's unsullied soul. In her conviction as to what was right she never wavered. She felt herself very weak where this man was concerned--weak enough to love him in spite of reason and honour; but she did not doubt her power to keep that guilty secret, and to hide her weakness from George Fairfax. She had almost forgotten her engagement at Arden Court when her father came down to his late breakfast, and found her sketching at a little table near the window, with the affectionate Ponto nestling close at her side. "I thought you would be dressing for your visit by this time, Clary," he said very graciously. "My visit, papa? O, yes, to the Court," she replied, with a faint sigh of resignation. "I had very nearly forgotten all about it. I was to be there between twelve and one, I think. I shall have plenty of time to give you your breakfast. It's not eleven yet." "Be sure you dress yourself becomingly. I don't want you to appear at a disadvantage compared with the heiress." "I'll put on my prettiest dress, if you like, papa; but I can't wear such silks and laces as Miss Granger wears." "You will have such things some day, I daresay, and set them off better than Miss Granger. She is not a bad-looking young woman--good complexion, fine figure, and so on--but as stiff as a poker." "I think she is mentally stiff, papa; she is a sort of person I could never get on with. How I wish you were coming with me this morning!" "I couldn't manage it, Clarissa. The schools and the model villagers would be more than I could stand. But at your age you ought to be interested in that sort of thing; and you really ought to get on with Miss Granger." It was half-past twelve when Miss Lovel opened the gate leading into Arden Park--the first time that she had ever opened it; though she had stood so often leaning on that rustic boundary, and gazing into the well-known woodland, with fond sad looks. There was an actual pain at her heart as she entered that unforgotten domain; and she felt angry with Daniel Granger for having forced this visit upon her. "I suppose he is determined that we shall pay homage to his wealth, and admire his taste, and drink the bitter cup of humiliation to the very dregs. If he had any real delicacy of feeling, he would understand our reluctance to any intimacy with him."