Anthony Trollope: The Belton Estate

19. CHAPTER XI: MISS AMEDROZ HAS ANOTHER CHANCE (continued)

'Will you not read it, Frederic?'

'Of course I shall, ma'am.'

'But why not do so now, when you know how anxious we are?'

'There are letters which one would sooner read in private.'

'But when a matter is of so much importance ,' said Belinda.

'The importance, Bel, is to me, and not to you,' said her brother.

'All we want to know is,' continued the sister, 'that she promises to be guided by you in this matter; and of course we feel quite sure that she will.'

'If you are quite sure that must be sufficient for you.'

'I really think you need not quarrel with your sister,' said Lady Aylmer, 'because she is anxious as to the the respectability, I must say, for there is no other word, of a young lady whom you propose to make your wife. I can assure you that I am very anxious myself very anxious indeed.'

Captain Aylmer made no answer to this, but he did not take the letter from his pocket. He drank his tea in silence, and in silence sent up his cup to be refilled. In silence also was it returned to him. He ate his two eggs and his three bits of toast, according to his custom, and when he had finished, sat out his three or four minutes as was usual. Then be got up to retire to his room, with the envelope still unbroken in his pocket.

'You will go to church with us, I suppose?' said Lady Aylmer.

'I won't promise, ma'am; but if I do, I'll walk across the park so that you need not wait for me.'