Captain Aylmer had not the slightest objection to such a plan. Indeed, he regarded it as in all respects a wise and salutary arrangement. The moiety of the Belton estate might probably be worth twenty-five thousand pounds, and the addition of such a sum as that to his existing means would make all the difference in the world as to the expediency of his marriage. His father's arguments would all fall to the ground if twenty-five thousand pounds were to be obtained in this way; and he had but little doubt that such a change in affairs would go far to mitigate his mother's wrath. But he was by no means mercenary in his views;--so, at least, he assured himself. Clara should have her chance with or without the Belton estate,--or with or without the half of it. He was by no means mercenary. Had he not made his offer to her,--and repeated it almost with obstinacy, when she had no prospect of any fortune? He could always remember that of himself at least; and remembering that now, he could take a delight in these bright money prospects without having to accuse himself in the slightest degree of mercenary motives. This fortune was a godsend which he could take with clean hands;--if only he should ultimately be able to take the lady who possessed the fortune! From London he wrote to Clara, telling her that he proposed to visit her at Belton. His letter was written before he had seen Mr. Green, and was not very fervent in its expressions; but, nevertheless, it was a fair letter, written with the intention of giving her a fair chance. He had seen with great sorrow,--"with heartfelt grief," that quarrel between his mother and his own Clara. Thinking, as he felt himself obliged to think, about Mrs. Askerton, he could not but feel that his mother had cause for her anger. But he himself was unprejudiced, and was ready, and anxious also,--the word anxious was underscored,--to carry out his engagement. A few words between them might probably set everything right, and therefore he proposed to meet her at the Belton Castle house, at such an hour, on such a day. He should run down to Perivale on his journey, and perhaps Clara would let him have a line addressed to him there. Such was his letter. "What do you think of that?" said Clara, showing it to Mrs. Askerton on the afternoon of the day on which she had received it. "What do you think of it?" said Mrs. Askerton. "I can only hope, that he will not come within the reach of my hands." "You are not angry with me for showing it to you?" "No;--why should I be angry with you? Of course I knew it all without any showing. Do not tell Colonel Askerton, or they will be killing each other." "Of course I shall not tell Colonel Askerton; but I could not help showing this to you." "And you will meet him?" "Yes; I shall meet him. What else can I do?" "Unless, indeed, you were to write and tell him that it would do no good." "It will be better that he should come."