Part 55 (1/2)
A day should be fixed for choosing the furnis.h.i.+ng. Or the gentleman should declare that he will at once buy the cows for the farm. But with Frederic Aylmer all discussions seemed to point to some cold, distant future, to which Clara might look forward as she did to the joys of heaven. Will Belton would have bought the ring long since, and bespoken the priest, and arranged every detail of the honeymoon tour,--and very probably would have stood looking into a cradle shop with longing eyes.
At last there came an absolute necessity for some plain speaking.
Captain Aylmer declared his intention of returning to London that he might resume his parliamentary duties. He had purposed to remain till after Easter, but it was found to be impossible. ”I find I must go up to-morrow,” he said at breakfast. ”They are going to make a stand about the Poor-rates, and I must be in the House in the evening.”
Clara felt herself to be very cold and uncomfortable. As things were at present arranged she was to be left at Aylmer Park without a friend. And how long was she to remain there? No definite ending had been proposed for her visit. Something must be said and something settled before Captain Aylmer went away.
”You will come down for Easter, of course,” said his mother.
”Yes; I shall come down for Easter, I think,--or at any rate at Whitsuntide.”
”You must come at Easter, Frederic,” said his mother.
”I don't doubt but I shall,” said he.
”Miss Amedroz should lay her commands upon him,” said Sir Anthony gallantly.
”Nonsense,” said Lady Aylmer.
”I have commands to lay upon him all the same,” said Clara; ”and if he will give me half an hour this morning he shall have them.” To this Captain Aylmer, of course, a.s.sented,--as how could he escape from such a.s.sent,--and a regular appointment was made. Captain Aylmer and Miss Amedroz were to be closeted together in the little back drawing-room immediately after breakfast. Clara would willingly have avoided any such formality could she have done so compatibly with the exigencies of the occasion. She had been obliged to a.s.sert herself when Lady Aylmer had rebuked Sir Anthony, and then Lady Aylmer had determined that an air of business should be a.s.sumed. Clara, as she was marched off into the back drawing-room, followed by her lover with more sheep-like gait even than her own, felt strongly the absurdity and the wretchedness of her position. But she was determined to go through with her purpose.
”I am very sorry that I have to leave you so soon,” said Captain Aylmer as soon as the door was shut and they were alone together.
”Perhaps it may be better as it is, Frederic; as in this way we shall all come to understand each other, and something will be settled.”
”Well, yes; perhaps that will be best.”
”Your mother has told me that she disapproves of our marriage.”
”No; not that, I think. I don't think she can have quite said that.”
”She says that you cannot marry while she is alive,--that is, that you cannot marry me because your income would not be sufficient.”
”I certainly was speaking to her about my income.”
”Of course I have got nothing.” Here she paused. ”Not a penny-piece in the world that I can call my own.”
”Oh yes, you have.”
”Nothing. Nothing!”
”You have your aunt's legacy?”
”No; I have not. She left me no legacy. But as that is between you and me, if we think of marrying each other, that would make no difference.”
”None at all, of course.”
”But in truth I have got nothing. Your mother said something to me about the Belton estate; as though there was some idea that possibly it might come to me.”
”Your cousin himself seemed to think so.”
”Frederic, do not let us deceive ourselves. There can be nothing of the kind. I could not accept any portion of the property from my cousin,--even though our marriage were to depend upon it.”