'
'It isn't your fault if I don't know how bad I am,' said the girl
with a half-smile. That she did not resent his lecture more
decidedly was no doubt due to its having afforded new proof of the
power she had over him. Sidney was shaken with emotion; his voice
all but failed him at the last.
'Good-bye,' he said, turning away.
Clara hesitated, looked at him, but finally also said 'Good-bye,'
and went on alone.
She walked with bent head, and almost passed the house-door in
absence of thought. On the threshold was standing Miss Peckover; she
drew aside to let Clara pass. Between these two was a singular
rivalry. Though by date a year younger than Clara, Clem gave no
evidence of being physically less mature. In the matter of personal
charms she regarded herself as by far Miss Hewett's superior, and
resented vigorously the tone of the latter's behaviour to her.
Clara, on the other hand, looked down upon Miss Peckover as a mere
vulgar girl; she despised her brother Bob because he' had allowed
himself to be inveigled by Clem; in intellect, in social standing,
she considered herself out of all comparison with the landlady's
daughter.
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