ng, if possible, to arrange the
accomplishment of your own wishes. It seems that Mr. Belton himself
does not claim the property."

"There is no question of claiming. Because he is a man more generous
than any other person in the world,--romantically generous, he
has offered to give me the property which was my father's for his
lifetime; but I do not suppose that you would wish, or that Captain
Aylmer would wish, that I should accept such an offer as that." There
was a tone in her voice as she said this, and a glance in her eye as
she turned her face full upon her companion, which almost prevailed
against Lady Aylmer's force of character.

"I really don't know, my dear," said Lady Aylmer. "You are so
violent."

"I certainly am eager about this. No consideration on earth would
induce me to take my cousin's property from him."

"It always seemed to me that that entail was a most unfair
proceeding."

"What would it signify even if it were,--which it was not? Papa got
certain advantages on those conditions. But what can all that matter?
It belongs to Will Belton."

Then there was another pause, and Clara thought that that subject
was over between them. But Lady Aylmer had not as yet completed her
purpose. "Shall I tell you, my dear, what I think you ought to do?"

"Certainly, Lady Aylmer; if you wish it."

"I can at any rate tell you what it would become any young lady to
do under such circumstances. I suppose you will give me credit for
knowing as much as that. Any young lady placed as you are would be
recommended by her friends,--if she had friends able and fit to give
her advice,--to put the whole matter into the hands of her natural
friends and her lawyer together. Hear me out, my dear, if you please.
At least you can do that for me, as I am taking a great deal of
trouble on your behalf. You should let Frederic see Mr. Green. I
understand that Mr. Green was your father's lawyer. And then Mr.
Green can see Mr. Belton. And so the matter can be arranged. It seems
to me, from what I hear, that in this way, and in this way only,
something can be done as to the proposed marriage. In no other way
can anything be done."

Then Lady Aylmer had finished her argument, and throwing herself back
into the carriage, seemed to intimate that she desired no reply.
She had believed and did believe that her guest was so intent upon
marrying her son, that no struggle would be regarded as too great
for the achievement of that obje