h her
aunt had intended to bequeath to her. When she became impatient and
objected to listen to him, he argued with her, pointing out to her
that this was a matter of business to which it was now absolutely
necessary that she should attend. "It may be the case," he said,
"and, indeed, I hope it will, that no essential difference will be
made by it;--except that it will gratify you to know how careful
she was of your interests in her last moments. But you are bound in
duty to learn your own position; and I, as her executor, am bound to
explain it to you. But perhaps you would rather discuss it with Mr.
Palmer."

"Oh no;--save me from that."

"You must understand, then, that I shall pay over to you the sum of
fifteen hundred pounds as soon as the will has been proved."

"I understand nothing of the kind. I know very well that if I were
to take it, I should be accepting a present from you, and to that I
cannot consent."

"But Clara--"

"It is no good, Captain Aylmer. Though I don't pretend to understand
much about law, I do know that I can have no claim to anything that
is not put into the will; and I won't have what I could not claim.
My mind is quite made up, and I hope I mayn't be annoyed about it.
Nothing is more disagreeable than having to discuss money matters."

Perhaps Captain Aylmer thought that the having no money matters to
discuss might be even more disagreeable. "Well," he said, "I can only
ask you to consult any friend whom you can trust upon the matter. Ask
your father, or Mr. Belton, and I have no doubt that either of them
will tell you that you are as much entitled to the legacy as though
it had been written in the will."

"On such a matter, Captain Aylmer, I don't want to ask anybody. You
can't pay me the money unless I choose to take it, and I certainly
shall not do that." Upon hearing this he smiled, assuming, as
Clara fancied that he was sometimes wont to do, a look of quiet
superiority; and then, for that time, he allowed the subject to be
dropped between them.

But Clara knew that she must discuss it at length with her father,
and the fear of that discussion made her unhappy. She had already
written to say that she would return home on the day but one after
the funeral, and had told Captain Aylmer of her purpose. So very
prudent a man as he of course could not think it right that a young
lady should remain with him, in his house, as his visitor; and to her
decision on this point he had ma