is acquainted, and who was no less a man
than the Member for Perivale. Captain Aylmer, when Clara parted from
him on the morning of her return to Belton Castle, had resolved that
he would repeat his offer of marriage by letter. A month had passed
by since then, and he had not as yet repeated it. But his intention
was not altered. He was a deliberate man, who did not do such things
quite as quickly as his rival, and who upon this occasion had thought
it prudent to turn over more than once in his mind all that he
proposed to do. Nor had he as yet taken any definite steps as to that
fifteen hundred pounds which he had promised to Clara in her aunt's
name, and which Clara had been, and was, so unwilling to receive. He
had now actually paid it over, having purchased government stock in
Clara's name for the amount, and had called upon Mr. Green, in order
that that gentleman, as Clara's lawyer, might make the necessary
communication to her.

"I suppose there's nothing further to be done?" asked Captain Aylmer.

"Nothing further by me," said the lawyer. "Of course I shall write to
her, and explain that she must make arrangements as to the interest.
I am very glad that her aunt thought of her in her last moments."

"Mrs. Winterfield would have provided for her before, had she known
that everything had been swallowed up by that unfortunate young man."

"All's well that ends well. Fifteen hundred pounds are better than
nothing."

"Is it not enough?" said the Captain, blushing.

"It isn't for me to have an opinion about that, Captain Aylmer.
It depends on the nature of the claim; and that again depends on
the relative position of the aunt and niece when they were alive
together."

"You are aware that Miss Amedroz was not Mrs. Winterfield's niece?"

"Do not think for a moment that I am criticising the amount of the
legacy. I am very glad of it, as, without it, there was literally no
provision,--no provision at all."

"You will write to herself?"

"Oh yes, certainly to herself. She is a better man of business than
her father;--and then this is her own, to do as she likes with it."

"She can't refuse it, I suppose?"

"Refuse it!"

"Even though she did not wish to take it, it would be legally her
property, just as though it had been really left by the will?"

"Well; I don't know. I dare say you could have resisted the payment.
But that has been made now, and there seems to be an end of it."

At this moment a clerk e