Anthony Trollope: The Belton Estate

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

Then both the mother and sister knew that the Member for Perivale did not intend to go to church on that occasion. To morning service Sir Anthony always went, the habits of Aylmer Park having in them more of adamant in reference to him than they had as regarded his son.

When the father, mother, and daughter returned, Captain Aylmer had read his letter, and bad, after doing so, received further tidings from Belton Castle further tidings which for the moment prevented the necessity of any reference to the letter, and almost drove it from his own thoughts. When his mother entered the library he was standing before the fire with a scrap of paper in his hand.

'Since you have been at church there has come a telegraphic message,' he said.

'What is it, Frederic? Do not frighten me if you can avoid it!'

'You need not be frightened, ma'am, for you did not know him. Mr Amedroz is dead.'

'No!' said Lady Aylmer, seating herself.

'Dead!' said Belinda, holding up her hands.

'God bless my soul!' said the baronet, who had now followed the ladies into the room. 'Dead! Why, Fred, he was five years younger than I am!'

Then Captain Aylmer read the words of the message ' Mr Amedroz died this morning at five o'clock. I have sent word to the lawyer and to Mr Belton.'

'Who does it come from?' asked Lady Aylmer.

'From Colonel Askerton.'

Lady Aylmer paused, and shook her head, and moved her foot uneasily upon the carpet. The tidings, as far as they went, might be unexceptionable, but the source from whence they had come had evidently polluted them in her ladyship's judgment. Then she uttered a series of inter-ejaculations, expressions of mingled sorrow and anger.

'There was no one else near her,' said Captain Aylmer apologetically.