'I understand nothing of the kind. I know very well that if I were to
take it, I should be accepting a present from you, and to that I cannot
consent.'

'But, Clara'

'It is no good, Captain Aylmer. Though I don't pretend to understand
much about law, I do know that I can have no claim to anything that is
not put into the will; and I won't have what I could not claim. My mind
is quite made up, and I hops I mayn't be annoyed about it. Nothing is
more disagreeable than having to discuss money matters.'

Perhaps Captain Aylmer thought that the having no money matters to
discuss might be even more disagreeable. 'Well,' he said, 'I can only
ask you to consult any friend whom you can trust upon the matter. Ask
your father, or Mr Belton, and I have no doubt that either of them will
tell you that you are as much entitled to the legacy as though it had
been written in the will.'

'On such a matter, Captain Aylmer, I don't want to ask anybody. You
can't pay me the money unless I choose to take it, and I certainly
shall not do that.' Upon hearing this he smiled, assuming, as Clara
fancied that he was sometimes wont to do, a look of quiet superiority;
and then, for that time, he allowed the subject to be dropped between
them.

But Clara knew that she must discuss it at length with her father, and
the fear of that discussion made her unhappy. She had already written
to say that she would return home on the day but one after the funeral,
and had told Captain Aylmer of her purpose. So very prudent a man as he