about you, and, having now given her
assent to our marriage, is of course desirous of knowing
that her kindly feeling is reciprocated. I assured her
that my own Clara was the last person to be remiss in such
a matter, and reminded her that young ladies are seldom
very careful in their mode of answering letters. Remember,
therefore, that I am now your guarantee, and send some
message to relieve me from my liability.

When I told her of your father's long illness, which she
laments greatly, and of your cousin's continued presence
at Belton Castle, she seemed to think that Mr. Belton's
visit should not be prolonged. When I told her that he was
your nearest relative, she remarked that cousins are the
same as any other people,--which indeed they are. I know
that my Clara will not suppose that I mean more by this
than the words convey. Indeed I mean less. But not having
the advantage of a mother of your own, you will not be
sorry to know what are my mother's opinions on matters
which so nearly concern you.

And now I come to another subject, as to which what I
shall say will surprise you very much. You know, I think,
that my aunt Winterfield and I had some conversation about
your neighbours, the Askertons; and you will remember
that my aunt, whose ideas on such matters were always
correct, was a little afraid that your father had not
made sufficient inquiry respecting them before he allowed
them to settle near him as tenants. It now turns out that
she is,--very far, indeed, from what she ought to be. My
mother at first thought of writing to you about this; but
she is a little fatigued, and at last resolved that under
all the circumstances it might be as well that I should
tell you. It seems that Mrs. Askerton was married before
to a certain Captain Berdmore, and that she left her
first husband during his lifetime under the protection
of Colonel Askerton. I believe they, the Colonel and
Mrs. Askerton, have been since married. Captain Berdmore
died about four years ago in India, and it is probable
that such a marriage has taken place. But under these
circumstances, as Lady Aylmer says, you will at once
perceive that all acquaintance between you and the lady
should be brought to an end. Indeed, your own sense of
what is becoming to you, either as an unmarried girl or as
my future wife, or indeed a