the
retiring procession. Lady Aylmer herself always read prayers, as Sir
Anthony never appeared till the middle of breakfast. Belinda would
usually come down in a scurry as she heard her mother's bell, in such
a way as to put the army in the hall to some confusion; but Frederic
Aylmer, when he was at home, rarely entered the room till after the
service was over. At Perivale no doubt he was more strict in his
conduct; but then at Perivale he had special interests and influences
which were wanting to him at Aylmer Park. During those five minutes
Lady Aylmer would deal round the letters to the several plates of the
inmates of her house,--not without looking at the post-office marks
upon them; and on this occasion she had dealt a letter from Clara to
her son.

The arrival of the letter was announced to Frederic Aylmer before he
took his seat.

"Frederic," said her ladyship, in her most portentous voice, "I am
glad to say that at last there is a letter from Belton."

He made no immediate reply, but making his way slowly to his place,
took up the little packet, turned it over in his hand, and then put
it into his pocket. Having done this, he began very slowly with his
tea and egg. For three minutes his mother was contented to make,
or to pretend to make, some effort in the same direction. Then her
impatience became too much for her, and she began to question him.

"Will you not read it, Frederic?"

"Of course I shall, ma'am."

"But why not do so now, when you know how anxious we are?"

"There are letters which one would sooner read in private."

"But when a matter is of so much importance--" said Belinda.

"The importance, Bel, is to me, and not to you," said her brother.

"All we want to know is," continued the sister, "that she promises
to be guided by you in this matter; and of course we feel quite sure
that she will."

"If you are quite sure that must be sufficient for you."

"I really think you need not quarrel with your sister," said Lady
Aylmer, "because she is anxious as to the--the respectability, I must
say, for there is no other word, of a young lady whom you propose to
make your wife. I can assure you that I am very anxious myself,--very
anxious indeed."

Captain Aylmer made no answer to this, but he did not take the letter
from his pocket. He drank his tea in silence, and in silence sent
up his cup to be refilled. In silence also was it returned to him.
He ate his two eggs and his three bits of t