Clara was in the ball when Belton arrived, and received him as he entered, enveloped in his damp great-coats.  ’It is so good of you to come in such weather,’ she said.

‘Nice seasonable weather, I call it,’ he said.  It was the same comfortable, hearty, satisfactory voice which had done so much towards making his way for him on his first arrival at Belton Castle The voices to which Clara was most accustomed were querulous as though the world had been found by the owners of them to be but a bad place.  But Belton’s voice seemed to speak of cheery days and happy friends, and a general state of things which made life worth having.  Nevertheless, forty-eight hours had not yet passed over his head since he was walking about London in such misery that he had almost cursed the hour in which be was born.  His misery still remained with him, as black now as it had been then; and yet his voice was cheery.  The sick birds, we are told, creep into holes, that they may die alone and unnoticed; and the wounded beasts hide themselves that their grief may not be seen of their fellows.  A man has the same instinct to conceal the weakness of his sufferings; but, if he be a man, he hides it in his own heart, keeping it for solitude and the watches of the night, while to the outer world he carries a face on which his care has made no marks.

‘You will be sorry to hear that papa is too ill to come downstairs.’

’Is he, indeed?  I am truly sorry.  I had beard he was ill; but did not know he was so ill as that.’

‘Perhaps he fancies himself weaker than he is.’

‘We must try and cure him of that.  I can see him, I hope?’

’Oh dear, yes.  He is most anxious for you to go to him.  As soon as ever you can come upstairs I will take you.’  He had already stripped himself of his wrappings, and declaring himself ready, at once followed Clara to the squire’s room.

‘I’m sorry, sir, to find you in this way,’ he said.

‘I’m very poorly, Will very,’ said the squire, putting out his hand as though he were barely able to lift it above his knee.  Now it certainly was the fact that half an hour before he had been walking across the passage.

‘We must see if we can’t soon make you better among us,’ said Will.

The squire shook his head with a slow, melancholy movement, not raising his eyes from the ground.  ’I don’t think you’ll ever see me much better, Will,’ he said.  And yet half an hour since he had been talking of being down in the dining-room on the next day.  ’I shan’t trouble you much longer,’ said the squire.  ’You’ll soon have it all without paying rent for it.’

This was very unpleasant, and almost frustrated Belton’s attempts to be cheery.  But he persevered nevertheless.  ’It’ll be a long time yet before that day comes, sir.’

’Ah; that’s easily said.  But never mind.  Why should I want to remain when I shall have once seen her properly settled.  I’ve nothing to live for except that she may have a home.’