a member
of Parliament, though he was not much given to books, though he was
only a farmer, yet he had at any rate as much heart and spirit as the
fine gentleman whom she preferred to him.

"I thought I should see you," said the lawyer; "but I hardly expected
you so soon as this."

"I ought to have been a day sooner, only we don't get our telegraphic
messages on a Sunday." He still kept his great-coat on; and it seemed
by his manner that he had no intention of staying where he was above
a minute or two.

"You'll come out and dine with me to-day?" said Mr. Green.

"I can't do that, for I shall go down by the mail train."

"I never saw such a fellow in my life. What good will that do? It is
quite right that you should be there in time for the funeral; but I
don't suppose he will be buried before this day week."

But Belton had never thought about the funeral. When he had spoken to
his sister of saying but a few words to Clara and then returning, he
had forgotten that there would be any such ceremony, or that he would
be delayed by any such necessity.

"I was not thinking about the funeral," said Belton.

"You'll only find yourself uncomfortable there."

"Of course I shall be uncomfortable."

"You can't do anything about the property, you know."

"What do you mean by doing anything?" said Belton, in an angry tone.

"You can't very well take possession of the place, at any rate, till
after the funeral. It would not be considered the proper thing to
do."

"You think, then, that I'm a bird of prey, smelling the feast from
afar off, and hurrying at the dead man's carcase as soon as the
breath is out of his body?"

"I don't think anything of the kind, my dear fellow."

"Yes, you do, or you wouldn't talk to me about doing the proper
thing! I don't care a straw about the proper thing! If I find that
there's anything to be done to-morrow that can be of any use, I shall
do it, though all Somersetshire should think it improper! But I'm not
going to look after my own interests!"

"Take off your coat and sit down, Will, and don't look so angry at
me. I know that you're not greedy, well enough. Tell me what you are
going to do, and let me see if I can help you."

Belton did as he was told; he pulled off his coat and sat himself
down by the fire. "I don't know that you can do anything to help
me,--at least, not as yet. But I must go and see after her. Perhaps
she may be all alone."

"I suppose she is all alone."