.

Captain Aylmer when he was left alone had also something to think
about; and as there were two hours left for such thought before he
would again meet Clara, and as he had nothing else with which to
occupy himself during those two hours, he again strolled down to
the bridge on which he had made his offer. He strolled down there,
thinking that he was thinking, but hardly giving much mind to his
thoughts, which he allowed to run away with themselves as they
listed. Of course he was going to be married. That was a thing
settled. And he was perfectly satisfied with himself in that he had
done nothing in a hurry, and could accuse himself of no folly even if
he had no great cause for triumph. He had been long thinking that he
should like to have Clara Amedroz for his wife;--long thinking that
he would ask her to marry him; and having for months indulged such
thoughts he could not take blame to himself for having made to his
aunt that deathbed promise which she had exacted. At the moment in
which she asked him the question he was himself anxious to do the
thing she desired of him. How then could he have refused her? And,
having given the promise, it was a matter of course with him to
fulfil it. He was a man who would have never respected himself
again--would have hated himself for ever, had he failed to keep a
promise from which no living being could absolve him. He had been
right therefore to make the promise, and having made it, had been
right to keep it, and to do the thing at once. And Clara was very
good and very wise, and sometimes looked very well, and would never
disgrace him; and as she was in worldly matters to receive much and
give nothing, she would probably be willing to make herself amenable
to any arrangements as to their future mode of life which he might
propose. In respect of this matter he was probably thinking of
lodgings for himself in London during the parliamentary session,
while she remained alone in the big red house upon which his eyes
were fixed at the time. There was much of convenience in all this,
which might perhaps atone to him for the sacrifice which he was
undoubtedly making of himself. Had marriage simply been of itself
a thing desirable, he could doubtless have disposed of himself
to better advantage. His prospects, present fortune, and general
position were so favourable, that he might have dared to lift
his expectations, in regard both to wealth and rank, very high.
The Aylmers were a