Anthony Trollope: The Belton Estate

31. CHAPTER XXXI: TAKING POSSESSION (continued)

'Your cousin has been telling me of the arrangements he has been making for you with the lawyers,' said Colonel Askerton. 'I can only say that I wish all the ladies had cousins so liberal, and so able to be liberal.'

'I thought I would see Colonel Askerton first, as you are staying at his house. And as for liberality there is nothing of the kind. You must understand, Clara, that a fellow can't do what he likes with his own in this country. I have found myself so bullied by lawyers and that sort of people, that I have been obliged to yield to them. I wanted that you should have the old place, to do just what you pleased with It.'

'That was out of the question, Will.'

'Of course it was,' said Colonel Askerton. Then, as Belton himself did not proceed to the telling of his own story, the colonel told it for him, and explained what was the income which Clara was to receive.

'But that is as much out of the question,' said she, 'as the other. I cannot rob you in that way. I cannot and I shall not. And why should I? What do I want with an income? Something I ought to have, if only for the credit of the family, and that I am willing to take from your kindness; but'

'It's all settled now, Clara.'

'I don't think that you can lessen the weight of your obligation, Miss Amedroz, after what has been done up in London,' said the colonel.

'If you had said a hundred a year'

'I have been allowed to say nothing,' said Belton; 'those people have said eight and so it is settled. When are you coming over to see Mary?'