It did not seem to be quite clear at the moment that Frederic had altogether made up his mind upon the subject.  As he heard those tidings from Clara there came across his face a puzzled, dubious look, as though he did not quite understand the proposition which had been suggested to him as though some consideration were wanted before he could take the idea home to himself and digest it, so as to enable himself to express an opinion upon it.  There might be something in it some show of reason which did not make itself clear to Clara’s feminine mind.  ’I have never known what was the precise nature of your father’s marriage settlement,’ said he.

Then Clara began to explain with exceeding eagerness that there was no question as to the accuracy of the settlement, or the legality of the entail that indeed there was no question as to anything.  Her Cousin Will was romantic, and that was the end of it.  Of course quite as a matter of course, this romance would lead to nothing; and she had only mentioned the subject now to show that her cousin’s mind might possibly be disturbed when the question of his future residence was raised.  ’I quite feel with you,’ she said, ’that it will be much nicer that he should live at the old family place; but just at present I do not speak about it.’

‘If he is thinking of not claiming Belton, it is quite another thing,’ said Aylmer.

‘It is his without any claiming,’ said Clara.

‘Ah, well; it will all be settled before long,’ said Aylmer.

‘It is settled already,’ said Clara.

At seven the three met again, and when the dinner was on the table there was some little trouble as to the helping of the fish.  Which of the two men should take the lead on the occasion?  But Clara decided the question by asking her cousin to make himself useful.  There can be little doubt but that Captain Aylmer would have distributed the mutton chops with much more grace, and have carved the roast fowl with much more skill; but it suited Clara that Will should have the employment, and Will did the work.  Captain Aylmer, throughout the dinner, endeavoured to be complaisant, and Clara exerted herself to talk as though all matters around them were easy.  Will, too, made his effort, every now and then speaking a word, and restraining himself from snapping at his rival; but the restraint was in itself evident, and there were symptoms throughout the dinner that the untamed man was longing to fly at the throat of the man that was tamed.

‘Is it supposed that I ought to go away for a little while?’ said Clara, as soon as she had drunk her own glass of wine.

‘Oh dear, no,’ said the captain.  ’We’ll have a cup of coffee that is, if Mr Belton likes it.’

‘It’s all the same to me,’ said Will.

‘But won’t you have some more wine?’ Clara asked.

‘No more for me,’ said Captain Aylmer.  ‘Perhaps Mr Belton’

‘Who; I?  No; I don’t want any more wine,’ said Will; and then they were all silent.