Anthony Trollope: The Belton Estate

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

'I don't want to quarrel with him; or, rather, as I won't quarrel with him because you don't wish it, I'll go away. I can't do more than that. I didn't want to dine with him here. There's my cousin Clara, Captain Aylmer; I love her better than all the world besides. Love her! It seems to me that there's nothing else in the world for me to love. I'd give my heart for her this minute. All that I have in the world is hers. Oh love her! I don't believe that it's in you to know what I mean when I say that I love her! She tells me that he's going to be your wife. You can't suppose that I can be very comfortable under those circumstances or that I can be very fond of you. I'm not very fond of you. Now I'll go away, and then I shan't trouble you any more. But look here if ever you should ill-treat her, whether you marry her or whether you don't, I'll crush every bone in your skin.' Having so spoken he went to the door, but stopped himself before he left the room. 'Good-bye, Clara. I've got a word or two more to say to you, but I'll write you a line down-stairs. You can show it to him if you please. It'll only be about business. Good-night.'

She had got up and followed him to the door, and he had taken her by the hand. 'You shouldn't let your passion get the better of you in this way,' she said; but the tone of her voice was very soft, and her eyes were full of love.

'I suppose not,' said he.

'I can forgive him,' said Captain Aylmer.

'D your forgiveness,' said Will Belton. Then Clara dropped the hand and started back, and the door was shut, and Will Belton was gone.

'Your cousin seems to be a nice sort of young man,' said Aylmer.

'Cannot you understand it all, Frederic, and pardon him?'