The Independence of Claire | Page 8

be taken for granted," reflected Claire in disgust.
The next hour was a horrible experience. Everything happened exactly
as Claire had known it would, from the moment the quartette set forth.
Arrived at the forest, they took possession of one of the little tables
beneath the trees, and made fitful conversation the while they
consumed delicious cakes and execrable tea. Then the meal being
finished, Mrs Gifford and her companion announced a wish to sit still
and rest, while Mr Judge nervously invited Miss Claire to accompany
him in a walk. She assented, of course; what was the use of putting it
off? and as soon as they were well started, he spied another seat, and
insisted upon sitting down once more.
"Now he'll begin," thought Claire desperately. "He'll talk about India,
and being lonely, and say how happy he has felt since he's been here,"
and even as the thought passed through her mind, Mr Judge began to
speak.
"Awfully jolly old forest this is--awfully nice place Brussels, altogether.
Nicest place in the world. Never been so happy in my life as I've been
the last month. Of course, naturally, you must realise that, when a
fellow hangs on week after week, there--er, there must be some special
attraction. Not that it isn't a rattling old city, and all that!" Mr Judge
was growing a little mixed: his voice sounded flurried and nervous, but
Claire was not in the least inclined to help him. She sat rigid as a poker,
staring stolidly ahead. There was not the ghost of a dimple in her soft
pink cheeks.
"I--er, your mother tells me that she has said nothing to you, but she is
sure, all the same, that you suspect. I asked her to let me speak to you
to-day. Naturally she feels the difficulty. She is devoted to you. You

know that, of course. I have told her that I will make your happiness
my special charge. There is nothing in the world I would not do to
ensure it. You know that too, don't you, Claire?"
He stretched out his hand and touched her tentatively on the arm, but
Claire drew herself back with a prickly dignity. If he wanted to propose
at all, he must propose properly; she was not going to commit herself in
response to an insinuation.
"You are very kind. I am quite happy as I am."
"Er--yes--yes, of course, but--but things don't go on, you know, can't go
on always without a change!"
Mr Judge took off his straw hat, twirled it nervously to and fro, and laid
it down on the bench by his side. Claire, casting a quick glance, noticed
that his hair was growing noticeably thin on the temples, and felt an
additional sinking of spirits.
"Claire!" cried the man desperately, "don't let us beat about the bush.
I'm not used to this sort of thing--don't make it harder than you need!
You have noticed, haven't you? You know what I want to tell you?"
Claire nodded dumbly. In the case of previous Belgian admirers affairs
had been checked before they reached the extreme stage, and she found
this, her first spoken proposal much less exciting than she had expected.
As a friend pure and simple, she had thoroughly liked Mr Judge, and at
the bottom of her heart there lived a lingering hope that perhaps if he
loved her very much, and expressed his devotion in very eloquent
words, her heart might soften in response. But so far he had not even
mentioned love! She was silent for several minutes, and when she did
speak it was to ask a side question.
"Is mother willing to go to India?"
She was looking at the man as she spoke, and the change which passed
over his face, startled her by its intensity. His eyes shone, the rugged
features were transfigured by a very radiance of joy. He looked young

at that moment, young and handsome, and blissfully content. Claire
stared at him in amazement, not unmingled with irritation. Even if
mother were willing, her own consent had still to be obtained. It was
tactless to make so sure!
Her own face looked decidedly sulky as she twitched round on her seat,
and resumed her stolid staring into space. Again there was silence, till a
hand stretched out to clasp her arm, and a voice spoke in deep
appealing accents--
"Claire, dear child, you are young; you have never known loneliness or
disappointment. We have! Happiness is fifty times more precious,
when it comes to those who have suffered. You would not be cruel
enough to damp our happiness! You can do it, you know, if you persist
in an attitude of coldness and disapproval. I don't say you can destroy it.
Thank God!