Anthony Trollope: The Belton Estate

25. CHAPTER XXV: MISS AMEDROZ HAS SOME HASHED CHICKEN (continued)

'My dear,' said Lady Aylmer, as soon as the trotting horses and rolling wheels made noise enough to prevent her words from reaching the servants on the box. 'I want to say a few words to you and I think that this will be a good opportunity.'

'A very good opportunity,' said Clara.

'Of course, my dear, you are aware that I have heard of something going on between you and my son Frederic.' Now that Lady Aylmer had taught herself to call Clara 'my dear', it seemed that she could hardly call her so often enough.

'Of course I know that Captain Aylmer has told you of our engagement. But for that, I should not be here.'

'I don't know how that might be,' said Lady Aylmer; 'but at any rate, my dear, he has told me that since the day of my sister's death there has been in point of fact, a sort of engagement.'

'I don't think Captain Aylmer has spoken of it in that way.'

'In what way? Of course he has not said a word that was not nice and lover-like, and all that sort of thing. I believe he would have done anything in the world that his aunt had told him; and as to his'

'Lady Aylmer!' said Clara, feeling that her voice was almost trembling with anger,' I am sure you cannot intend to be unkind to me?'

'Certainly not.'

'Or to insult me?'

'Insult you, my dear! You should not use such strong words, my dear; indeed you should not. Nothing of the kind is near my thoughts.'

'If you disapprove of my marrying your son, tell me so at once, and I shall know what to do.'