The Claverings

The Claverings

The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Claverings, by Anthony Trollope
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Title: The Claverings
Author: Anthony Trollope
Release Date: May 3, 2005 [eBook #15766]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
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THE CLAVERINGS
by
ANTHONY TROLLOPE
1866

Contents
I. Julia Brabazon II. Harry Clavering Chooses His Profession III. Lord Ongar IV. Florence Burton V. Lady Ongar's Return VI. The Rev. Samuel Saul VII. Some Scenes in the Life of a Countess VIII. The House in Onslow Crescent IX. Too Prudent By Half X. Florence Burton at the Rectory XI. Sir Hugh and His Brother Archie XII. Lady Ongar Takes Possession XIII. A Visitor Calls At Ongar Park XIV. Count Pateroff XV. Madame Gordeloup XVI. An Evening In Bolton Street XVII. The Rivals XVIII. "Judge Not That Ye Be Not Judged" XIX. Let Her Know That You're There XX. Captain Clavering Makes His First Attempt XXI. The Blue Posts XXII. Desolation XXIII. Sir Hugh's Return XXIV. Yes; Wrong--Certainly Wrong XXV. The Day of the Funeral XXVI. Too Many, And Too Few XXVII. Cumberly Lane Without The Mud XXVIII. The Russian Spy XXIX. What Would Men Say To You? XXX. The Man Who Dusted His Boots With His Handkerchief XXXI. Freshwater Gate XXXII. What Cecilia Burton Did For Her Sister-In-Law XXXIII. How Damon Parted From Pythias XXXIV. Vain Repentance XXXV. Doodles In Mount Street XXXVI. Harry Clavering's Confession XXXVII. Florence Burton's Return XXXVIII. Florence Burton Makes Up A Packet XXXIX. Showing Why Harry Clavering Was Wanted At The Rectory XL. Mr. Saul's Abode XLI. Going To Norway XLII. Parting XLIII. Captain Clavering Makes His Last Attempt XLIV. What Lady Ongar Thought About It XLV. How To Dispose Of A Wife XLVI. Showing How Mrs. Burton Fought Her Battle XLVII. The Sheep Returns To The Fold XLVIII. Lady Ongar's Revenge XLIX. Showing What Happened Off Heligoland L. Madam Gordeloup Retires From British Diplomacy LI. Showing How Things Settled Themselves At The Rectory LII. Conclusion
Chapter I
Julia Brabazon

The gardens of Clavering Park were removed some three hundred yards from the large, square, sombre-looking stone mansion which was the country-house of Sir Hugh Clavering, the eleventh baronet of that name; and in these gardens, which had but little of beauty to recommend them, I will introduce my readers to two of the personages with whom I wish to make them acquainted in the following story. It was now the end of August, and the parterres, beds, and bits of lawn were dry, disfigured, and almost ugly, from the effects of a long drought. In gardens to which care and labor are given abundantly, flower-beds will be pretty, and grass will be green, let the weather be what it may; but care and labor were but scantily bestowed on the Clavering Gardens, and everything was yellow, adust, harsh, and dry. Over the burnt turf toward a gate that led to the house, a lady was walking, and by her side there walked a gentleman.
"You are going in, then, Miss Brabazon," said the gentleman, and it was very manifest from his tone that he intended to convey some deep reproach in his words.
"Of course I am going in," said the lady. "You asked me to walk with you, and I refused. You have now waylaid me, and therefore I shall escape--unless I am prevented by violence." As she spoke she stood still for a moment, and looked into his face with a smile which seemed to indicate that if such violence were used, within rational bounds, she would not feel herself driven to great danger.
But though she might be inclined to be playful, he was by no means in that mood. "And why did you refuse me when I asked you?" said he.
"For two reasons, partly because I thought it better to avoid any conversation with you."
"That is civil to an old friend."
"But chiefly"--and now as she spoke she drew herself up, and dismissed the smile from her face, and allowed her eyes to fall upon the ground--"but chiefly because I thought that Lord Ongar would prefer that I should not roam alone about Clavering Park with any young gentleman while I am down here; and that he might specially object to my roaming with you, were he to know that you and I were--old acquaintances. Now I have been very frank, Mr. Clavering, and I think that