She found Colonel Askerton and his wife together, and she certainly would ask no such question in his presence. He was a slight built, wiry man, about fifty, with iron-grey hair and beard,--who seemed to have no trouble in life, and to desire but few pleasures. Nothing could be more regular than the course of his days, and nothing more idle. He breakfasted at eleven, smoked and read till the afternoon, when he rode for an hour or two; then he dined, read again, smoked again, and went to bed. In September and October he shot, and twice in the year, as has been before stated, went away to seek a little excitement elsewhere. He seemed to be quite contented with his lot, and was never heard to speak an angry word to any one. Nobody cared for him much; but then he troubled himself with no one's affairs. He never went to church, and had not eaten or drank in any house but his own since he had come to Belton. "Oh, Clara, you naughty girl," said Mrs. Askerton, "why didn't you come yesterday? I was expecting you all day." "I was busy. Really, we've grown to be quite industrious people since my cousin came." "They tell me he's taking the land into his own hands," said the Colonel. "Yes, indeed; and he is going to build sheds, and buy cattle; and I don't know what he doesn't mean to do; so that we shall be alive again." "I hope he won't want my shooting." "He has shooting of his own in Norfolk," said Clara. "Then he'll hardly care to come here for that purpose. When I heard of his proceedings I began to be afraid." "I don't think he would do anything to annoy you for the world," said Clara, enthusiastically. "He's the most unselfish person I ever met." "He'd have a perfect right to take the shooting if he liked it,--that is always supposing that he and your father agreed about it." "They agree about everything now. He has altogether disarmed papa's prejudices, and it seems to be recognised that he is to have his own way about the place. But I don't think he'll interfere about the shooting." "He won't, my dear, if you ask him not," said Mrs. Askerton. "I'll ask him in a moment if Colonel Askerton wishes it." "Oh dear no," said he. "It would be teaching the ostler to grease the horse's teeth. Perhaps he hasn't thought of it." "He thinks of everything," said Clara. "I wonder whether he's thinking of--" So far Mrs. Askerton spoke, and then she paused. Colonel Askerton looked up at Clara with an ill-natured smile, and Clara felt that she blushed. Was it not cruel that she could not say a word in favour of a friend and a cousin,--a cousin who had promised to be a brother to her, without being treated with such words and such looks as these? But she was determined not to be put down. "I'm quite sure of this," she said, "that my cousin would do nothing unfair or ungentlemanlike."