ou much longer," said the squire. "You'll soon have it all
without paying rent for it."

This was very unpleasant, and almost frustrated Belton's attempts to
be cheery. But he persevered nevertheless. "It'll be a long time yet
before that day comes, sir."

"Ah; that's easily said. But never mind. Why should I want to remain
when I shall have once seen her properly settled. I've nothing to
live for except that she may have a home."

On this subject it was quite impossible that Belton should say
anything. Clara was standing by him, and she, as he knew, was engaged
to Captain Aylmer. So circumstanced, what could he say as to Clara's
settlement in life? That something should be said between him and the
old man, and something also between him and Clara, was a matter of
course; but it was quite out of the question that he should discuss
Clara's prospects in life in presence of them both together.

"Papa's illness makes him a little melancholy," said Clara.

"Of course,--of course. It always does," said Will.

"I think he will be better when the weather becomes milder," said
Clara.

"I suppose I may be allowed to know how I feel myself," said the
squire. "But don't keep Will up here when he wants his dinner. There;
that'll do. You'd better leave me now." Then Will went out to his old
room, and a quarter of an hour afterwards he found himself seated
with Clara at the dinner-table; and a quarter of an hour after that
the dinner was over, and they had both drawn their chairs to the
fire.

Neither of them knew how to begin with the other. Clara was under no
obligation to declare her engagement to her cousin, but yet she felt
that it would be unhandsome in her not to do so. Had Will never made
the mistake of wanting to marry her himself, she would have done so
as a matter of course. Had she supposed him to cherish any intention
of renewing that mistake she would have felt herself bound to tell
him,--so that he might save himself from unnecessary pain. But she
gave him credit for no such intention, and yet she could not but
remember that scene among the rocks. And then was she, or was she
not, to say anything to him about the Askertons? With him also the
difficulty was as great. He did not in truth believe that the tidings
which he had heard from his friend the lawyer required corroboration;
but yet it was necessary that he should know from herself that she
had disposed of her hand;--and it was necessary also that he shoul