‘I had better come to the point at once,’ said Mrs Askerton.  ’If if if it should ever suit you, pray come here to us.  Flowers shall not be more welcome in May.  It is difficult to speak of it all, though you both understand everything as well as I do.  I cannot press my invitation as another woman might.’

‘Yes, you can,’ said Clara with energy.  ‘Of course you can.’

‘Can I?  Then I do.  Dear Clara, do come to us.’  And then as she spoke Mrs Askerton knelt on the ground at her visitor’s knees.  ’Mr Belton, do tell her that when she is tired with the grandeur of Aylmer Park she may come to us here.’

‘I don’t know anything about the grandeur of Aylmer Park,’ said Will, suddenly.

‘But she may come here may she not?’

‘She will not ask my leave,’ said he.

‘She says that you are her brother.  Whose leave should she ask?’

‘He knows that I should ask his rather than that of any living person,’ said Clara.

’There, Mr Belton.  Now you must say that she may come or that she may not.’

’I will say nothing.  She knows what to do much better than I can tell her.’

Mrs Askerton was still kneeling, and again appealed to Clara.  ’You hear what he says.  What do you say yourself?  Will you come to us? that is, if such a visit will suit you in point of convenience?’

‘I will make no promise; but I know no reason why I should not.’

‘And I must be content with that?  Well:  I will be content.’  Then she got up.  ’For such a one as I am, that is a great deal.  And, Mr Belton, let me tell you this I can be grateful to you, though you cannot be gracious to me.’

‘I hope I have not been ungracious,’ said he.

’Upon my word, I cannot compliment you.  But there is something so much better than grace, that I can forgive you.  You know, at any rate, how thoroughly I wish you well.’

Upon this Clara got up to take her leave, and the demonstrative affection of an embrace between the two women afforded a remedy for the awkwardness of the previous conversation.

‘God bless you, dearest,’ said Mrs Askerton.  ‘May I write to you?’

‘Certainly,’ said Clara.

‘And you will answer my letters?’

’Of course I will.  You must tell me everything about the place and especially as to Bessy.  Bessy is never to be sold is she, Will?  Bessy was the cow which Belton had given her.

‘Not if you choose to keep her.’

‘I will go down and see to her myself,’ said Mrs Askerton, and will utter little prayers of my own over her horns that certain events that I desire may come to pass.  Good-bye, Mr Belton.  You may be as ungracious as you please, but it will not make any difference.’