Anthony Trollope: The Belton Estate

15. CHAPTER XV: EVIL WORDS (continued)

'When do you expect your cousin?' Mrs Askerton asked, almost as soon as Clara was seated.

'The day after tomorrow.'

'And he is in London now?'

'He may be. I dare say he is. But I don't know anything about it.'

'I can tell you then that he is. Colonel Askerton has heard of his being there.'

'You seem to speak of it as though there were some offence in it. Is there any reason why he should not be in London if he pleases?'

'None in the least. I would much rather that he should be there than here.'

'Why so? Will his coming hurt you?'

'I don't like him. I don't like him at all and now you know the truth. You believe in him I don't. You think him to be a fine fellow and a gentleman, whereas I don't think him to be either.'

'Mrs Askerton!'

'This is strong language, I know.'

'Very strong language.'

'Yes, my dear; but the truth is, Clara, that you and I, living together here this sort of hermit's life, each seeing so much of the other and seeing nothing of anybody else, must either be real friends, telling each other what we think, or we must be nothing. We can't go on with the ordinary make- believes of society, saying little civil speeches and not going beyond them. Therefore I have made up my mind to tell you in plain language that I don't like your cousin, and don't believe in him.'

'I don't know what you mean by believing in a man.'