Anthony Trollope: The Belton Estate

20. CHAPTER XX: WILLIAM BELTON DOES NOT GO OUT HUNTING (continued)

'Why not? Will it ever be of any good to you or me? Do you want to go and live there?'

'No, indeed not for myself.'

'And do you think that I could live there? Besides why should she be turned out of her father's house?

'He would not be mean enough to take it.'

'He would be mean enough for anything. Besides, I should take very good care that it should be settled upon her.'

'That's nonsense, Will it is indeed. You are now William Belton of Belton, and you must remain so.'

'Mary I would sooner be Will Belton with Clara Amedroz by my side to get through the world with me, and not the interest of an acre either at Belton Castle or at Plaistow Hall! And I believe I should be the richer man at the end if there were any good in that.' Then he went out of the room, and she heard him go through the kitchen, and knew that he passed out into the farm-yard, towards the stable, by the back-door. He intended, it seemed, to go on with his hunting in spite of this death which had occurred. She was sorry for it, but she could not venture to stop him. And she was sorry also that nothing had been settled as to the writing of any letter to Clara. She, however, would take upon herself to write while he was gone.