Anthony Trollope: The Belton Estate

24. CHAPTER XXIV: THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY HOTEL (continued)

'The truth is, Frederic, he has some romantic notion about the Belton estate.'

'What romantic notion?'

'He thinks it should not be his at all.'

'Whose then? Who does he think should have it?'

'Of course there can be nothing in it, you know; of course, it's all nonsense.'

'But what is his idea? Who does he think should be the owner?

'He means that it should be mine. But of course, Frederic, it is all nonsense; we know that.'

It did not seem to be quite clear at the moment that Frederic had altogether made up his mind upon the subject. As he heard those tidings from Clara there came across his face a puzzled, dubious look, as though he did not quite understand the proposition which had been suggested to him as though some consideration were wanted before he could take the idea home to himself and digest it, so as to enable himself to express an opinion upon it. There might be something in it some show of reason which did not make itself clear to Clara's feminine mind. 'I have never known what was the precise nature of your father's marriage settlement,' said he.

Then Clara began to explain with exceeding eagerness that there was no question as to the accuracy of the settlement, or the legality of the entail that indeed there was no question as to anything. Her Cousin Will was romantic, and that was the end of it. Of course quite as a matter of course, this romance would lead to nothing; and she had only mentioned the subject now to show that her cousin's mind might possibly be disturbed when the question of his future residence was raised. 'I quite feel with you,' she said, 'that it will be much nicer that he should live at the old family place; but just at present I do not speak about it.'

'If he is thinking of not claiming Belton, it is quite another thing,' said Aylmer.