Captain Aylmer did not say anything to his mother that night as to his going, but as he thought of his prospects in the solitude of his bedroom, he felt really grateful to his father for the solicitude which Sir Anthony had displayed on his behalf.  It was not often that he received paternal counsel, but now that it had come he acknowledged its value.  That Clara Amedroz was a self-willed woman he thought that he was aware.  She was self-reliant, at any rate and by no means ready to succumb with that pretty feminine docility which he would like to have seen her evince.  He certainly would not wish to be ‘nagged’ by his wife Indeed he knew himself well enough to assure himself that he would not stand it for a day.  In his own house he would be master, and if there came tempests he would rule them.  He could at least promise himself that.  As his mother had been strong, so had his father been weak.  But he had as he felt thankful in knowing inherited his mother’s strength rather than his father’s weakness.  But, for all that, why have a tempest to rule at all?  Even though a man do rule his domestic tempests, he cannot have a very quiet house with them.  Then again he remembered how very easily Clara had been won.  He wished to be just to all men and women, and to Clara among the number.  He desired even to be generous to her with a moderate generosity.  But above all things he desired not to be duped.  What if Clara had in truth instigated her aunt to that deathbed scene, as his mother had more than once suggested!  He did not believe it.  He was sure that it had not been so.  But what if it were so?  His desire to be generous and trusting was moderate but his desire not to be cheated, not to be deceived, was immoderate.  Upon the whole might it not be well for him to wait a little longer, and ascertain how Clara really intended to behave herself in this emergency of the Askertons?  Perhaps, after all, his mother might be right.

On the Sunday the expected letter came but before its contents are made known, it will be well that we should go back to Belton, and see what was done by Clara in reference to the tidings which her lover had sent her.

CHAPTER XVIII

MRS ASKERTON’S STORY

When Clara received the letter from Captain Aylmer on which so much is supposed to hang, she made up her mind to say nothing of it to any one not to think of it if she could avoid thinking of it till her cousin should have left her.  She could not mention it to him; for, though there was no one from whom she would sooner have asked advice than from him, even on so delicate a matter as this, she could not do so in the present case, as her informant was her cousin’s successful rival.  When, therefore, Mrs Askerton on leaving the church had spoken some customary word to Clara, begging her to come to the cottage on the following day, Clara had been unable to answer not having as yet made up her mind whether she would or would not go to the cottage again.  Of course the idea of consulting her father occurred to her or rather the idea of telling him; but any such telling would lead to some advice from him which she would find it difficult to obey, and to which she would be unable to trust.  And, moreover, why should she repeat this evil story against her neighbours?