That he would make such a discovery sooner or later was
her profound conviction. It was only a question of time.
Thus it was that Clarissa's new life began. She knew herself beloved by
her husband with a quiet unobtrusive affection, the depth and wide measure
whereof had come home to her very often since her marriage with a sense
of obligation that was almost a burden. She knew this, and, knew that she
could give but little in return for so much--the merest, coldest show of
duty and obedience in recompense for all the love of this honest heart. If
love had been a lesson to be learnt, she would have learned it, for she was
not ungrateful, not unmindful of her obligations, or the vow that she
had spoken in Arden Church; but as this flower called love must spring
spontaneous in the human breast, and is not commonly responsive to the
efforts of the most zealous cultivator, Clarissa was fain to confess to
herself after five months of wedded life that her heart was still barren,
and that her husband was little more to her than he had been at the very
first, when for the redemption Of her father's fortunes she had consented
to become his wife.
So the time went on, with much gaiety in the way of feasting and company at
Arden Court, and a palpable dulness when there were no visitors. Mr.
and Mrs. Granger went out a good deal, sometimes accompanied by Sophia,
sometimes without her; and Clarissa was elected by the popular voice the
most beautiful woman in that part of the country.
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