’They agree about everything now.  He has altogether disarmed papa’s prejudices, and it seems to be recognized that he is to have his own way about the place.  But I don’t think he’ll interfere about the shooting.’

‘He won’t, my dear, if you ask him not,’ said Mrs Askerton.

‘I’ll ask him in a moment if Colonel Askerton wishes it.’

‘Oh dear no,’ said he.  ’It would be teaching the ostler to grease the horse’s teeth.  Perhaps he hasn’t thought of it.’

‘He thinks of everything,’ said Clara.

‘I wonder whether he’s thinking of .’  So far Mrs Askerton spoke, and then she paused.  Colonel Askerton looked up at Clara with an ill-natured smile, and Clara felt that she blushed.  Was it not cruel that she could not say a word in favour of a friend and a cousin a cousin who had promised to be a brother to her, without being treated with such words and such looks as these?  But she was determined not to be put down.  ‘I’m quite sure of this,’ she said, ’that my cousin would do nothing unfair or ungentlemanlike.’

’There would be nothing unfair or ungentlemanlike in it.  I shouldn’t take it amiss at all but I should simply take up my bed and walk.  Pray tell him that I hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing him before he goes.  I did call yesterday, but he was out.’

‘He’ll be here soon.  He’s to come here for me.’  But Colonel Askerton’s horse was brought to the door, and he could not therefore wait to make Mr Belton’s acquaintance on that occasion.

‘What a phoenix this cousin of yours is,’ said Mrs Askerton, as soon as her husband was gone.

’He is a splendid fellow he is indeed.  There’s so much life about him!  He’s always doing something.  He says that doing good will always pay in the long run.  Isn’t that a fine doctrine?’

‘Quite a practical phoenix!’

’It has done papa so much good!  At this moment he’s out somewhere, thinking of what is going on, instead of moping in the house.  He couldn’t bear the idea of Will’s coming, and now he is already beginning to complain because he’s going away.’

‘Will, indeed!’

‘And why not Will?  He’s my cousin.’

’Yes ten times removed.  But so much the better if he’s to be anything more than a cousin.’

‘He is to be nothing more, Mrs Askerton.’

’You’re quite sure of that?

’I am quite sure of it.  And I cannot understand why there should be such a suspicion because he and I are thrown closely together, and are fond of each other.  Whether he is a sixth, eighth, or tenth cousin makes no difference.  He is the nearest I have on that side; and since my poor brother’s death he is papa’s heir.  It is so natural that he should be my friend and such a comfort that he should be such a friend as he is!  I own it seems cruel to me that under such circumstances there should be any suspicion.’

‘Suspicion, my dear suspicion of what?’