Anthony Trollope: The Belton Estate

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

The invitation was therefore sent in a note written by herself, and was enclosed in a letter from her son. After much consultation and many doubts on the subject, it was at last agreed that nothing further should now be urged about Mrs Askerton. 'She shall have her chance,' said Lady Aylmer over and over again, repeating her son's words. 'She shall have her chance.' Lady Aylmer, therefore, in her note, confined herself strictly to the giving of the invitation, and to a suggestion that, as Clara had now no settled home of her own, a temporary sojourn at Aylmer Park might be expedient. And Captain Aylmer in his letter hardly said much more. He knew, as he wrote the words, that they were cold and comfortless, and that he ought on such an occasion to have written words that should have been warm at any rate, even though they might not have contained comfort. But, to have written with affection, he should have written at once, and he had postponed his letter from the Sunday till the Wednesday. It had been absolutely necessary that that important question as to the invitation should be answered before he could write at all.

When all this was settled he went up to London; and there was an understanding between him and his mother that he should return to Aylmer Park with Clara, in the event of her acceptance of the invitation.

'You won't go down to Belton for her?' said the mother.

'No I do not think that will be necessary,' said the son.

'I should think not,' said the mother.