Anthony Trollope: The Belton Estate

28. CHAPTER XXVIII: MISS AMEDROZ IS PURSUED (continued)

'What do you think of that?' said Clara, showing it to Mrs Askerton on the afternoon of the day on which she had received it.

'What do you think of it?' said Mrs Askerton. 'I can only hope, that he will not come within reach of my hands.'

'You are not angry with me for showing it to you?'

'No why should I be angry with you? Of course I knew it all without any showing. Do not tell Colonel Askerton, or they will be killing each other.'

'Of course I shall not tell Colonel Askerton; but I could not help showing this to you.'

'And you will meet him?'

'Yes; I shall meet him. What else can I do?'

'Unless, indeed, you were to write and tell him that it would do no good.'

'It will be better that he should come.'

'If you allow him to talk you over you will be a wretched woman all your life.'

'It will be better that he should come,' said Clara again. And then she wrote to Captain Aylmer at Perivale, telling him that she would be at the house at the hour he had named, on the day he had named.