Anthony Trollope: The Belton Estate

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

'I know it is no good my trying to dissuade you.'

'None on earth. If you knew it all you would not try to dissuade me. Before I thought of asking her to be my wife and yet I thought of that very soon but before I ever thought of that, I told her that when she wanted a brother's help I would give it her. Of course I was thinking of the property that she shouldn't be turned out of her father's house like a beggar. I hadn't any settled plan then how could I? But I meant her to understand that when her father died I would be the same to her that I am to you. If you were alone, in distress, would I not go to you?'

'But I have no one else, Will,' said she, stretching out her hand to him where he stood.

'That makes no difference,' he replied, almost roughly. A promise is a promise, and I resolved from the first that my promise should hold good in spite of my disappointment. Dear, dear it seems but the other day when I made it and now, already, everything is changed.' As he was speaking the servant entered the room, and told him that the horse and gig were ready for him. 'I shall just do it nicely,' said he, looking at his watch. 'I have over an hour. God bless you, Mary. I shan't be away long. You may be sure of that.'

'I don't suppose you can tell as yet, Will.'

'What should keep me long? I shall see Green as I go by, and that is half of my errand. I dare say I shan't stay above a night down in Somersetshire.'

'You'll have to give some orders about the estate.'