mitigate his mother’s wrath.  But he was by no means mercenary in his views so, at least, he assured himself.  Clara should have her chance with or without the Belton estate or with or without the half of it.  He was by no means mercenary.  Had he not made his offer to her and repeated it almost with obstinacy, when she had no prospect of any fortune?  He could always remember that of himself at least; and remembering that now, he could take a delight in these bright money prospects without having to accuse himself in the slightest degree of mercenary motives.  This fortune was a godsend which he could take with clean hands if only he should ultimately be able to take the lady who possessed the fortune!

>From London he wrote to Clara, telling her that he proposed to visit her at Belton.  His letter was written before he had seen Mr Green, and was not very fervent in its expressions; but, nevertheless, it was a fair letter, written with the intention of giving her a fair chance.  He had seen with great sorrow ‘with heartfelt grief,’ that quarrel between his mother and his own Clara.  Thinking, as he felt himself obliged to think, about Mrs Askerton, he could not but feel that his mother bad cause for her anger.  But he himself was unprejudiced, and was ready, and anxious also the word anxious was underscored to carry out his engagement.  A few words between them might probably set everything right, and therefore be proposed to meet her at the Belton Castle house, at such an hour, on such a day.  He should run down to Perivale on his journey, and perhaps Clara would let him have a line addressed to him there.  Such was his letter.

‘What do you think of that?’ said Clara, showing it to Mrs Askerton on the afternoon of the day on which she had received it.

‘What do you think of it?’ said Mrs Askerton.  ’I can only hope, that he will not come within reach of my hands.’

‘You are not angry with me for showing it to you?’

’No why should I be angry with you?  Of course I knew it all without any showing.  Do not tell Colonel Askerton, or they will be killing each other.’

’Of course I shall not tell Colonel Askerton; but I could not help showing this to you.’

‘And you will meet him?’

‘Yes; I shall meet him.  What else can I do?’

’Unless, indeed, you were to write and tell him that it would do no good.’

‘It will be better that he should come.’

’If you allow him to talk you over you will be a wretched woman all your life.’

‘It will be better that he should come,’ said Clara again.  And then she wrote to Captain Aylmer at Perivale, telling him that she would be at the house at the hour he had named, on the day he had named.