l tell you, that Mary has had a letter from Mrs.
Askerton. It was a kind, obliging letter, and I am very
grateful to her. She has told us that you have separated
yourself altogether from the Aylmer Park people. I don't
suppose you'll think I ought to pretend to be very sorry.
I can't be sorry, even though I know how much you have
lost in a worldly point of view. I could not bring myself
to like Captain Aylmer, though I tried hard.

Oh Mr. Belton, Mr. Belton!

He and I never could have been friends, and it is no use
my pretending regret that you have quarrelled with them.
But that, I suppose, is all over, and I will not say a
word more about the Aylmers.

I am writing now chiefly at Mary's advice, and because she
says that something should be settled about the estate. Of
course it is necessary that you should feel yourself to be
the mistress of your own income, and understand exactly
your own position. Mary says that this should be arranged
at once, so that you may be able to decide how and
where you will live. I therefore write to say that I
will have nothing to do with your father's estate at
Belton;--nothing, that is, for myself. I have written to
Mr. Green to tell him that you are to be considered as the
heir. If you will allow me to undertake the management of
the property as your agent, I shall be delighted. I think
I could do it as well as any one else: and, as we agreed
that we would always be dear and close friends, I think
that you will not refuse me the pleasure of serving you in
this way.

And now Mary has a proposition to make, as to which she
will write herself to-morrow, but she has permitted me to
speak of it first. If you will accept her as a visitor,
she will go to you at Belton. She thinks, and I think too,
that you ought to know each other. I suppose nothing would
make you come here, at present, and therefore she must
go to you. She thinks that all about the estate would be
settled more comfortably if you two were together. At any
rate, it would be very nice for her,--and I think you
would like my sister Mary. She proposes to start about the
10th of May. I should take her as far as London and see
her off, and she would bring her own maid with her. In
this way she thinks that she would get as far as Taunton
very well. She had, perhaps, better stay there for one
night,