Out of her sphere - University Library

HAROLD THORNTOJ^'S RETURN HOME. 41
compassion. There was no pity in lier for
any hurt that was not her own, but it might
be best that, whatever fate might have
overtaken his wife, he should not as yet be
suspected of having had any share in it.
She had no plans, no schemes for the future.
AU, as yet, was vague and uncertain. She
had a dim hope that if Audley Dale still
refused to keep his promise to her, she
might, through this night's work, punish
him for so doing, quite as surely as if slie
had his letters still in her possession. But
to make sure of that, let what might have
chanced, all suspicion must, if possible, be
diverted from Mr. Thornton. " If he's
brains enough to keep his own counsel,
111 keep it for him," said Clare ;
and at any
rate, if she did not pity or like, she did not
hate him—he, at least, had never injured
her. So when his clothes were dry enough
for the purpose, Clare brushed, and mended,
and removed every trace, as far as possible.