'But if it isn't talked about, how can it be mended?'

'It can't be mended.'

'We'll see about that. But I'll be kind to him; you see if I ain't. And
I'll tell you what, I'll be kind to you too, if you'll let me. You have
got no brother now.'

'No,' said Clara; 'I have got no brother now.' Belton was looking full
into her face, and saw that her eyes had become clouded with tears.

'I will be your brother,' said he. 'You see if I don't. When I say a
thing I mean it. I will be your brother.' And he took her hand,
caressing it, and showing her that he was not in the least afraid of
her. He was blunt in his bearing, saying things which her father would
have called indelicate and heartless, as though they gave him no
effort, and placing himself at once almost in a position of ascendency.
This Clara had not intended. She had thought that her farmer cousin, in
spite of the superiority of his prospects as heir to the property,
would have acceded to her little hints with silent acquiescence; but
instead of this he seemed prepared to take upon himself the chief part
in the play that was to be acted between them. 'Shall it be so?' he
said, still holding her hand.

'You are very kind.'

'I will be more than kind; I will love you dearly if you will let me.
You don't suppose that I have looked you up here for nothing. Blood is
thicker than water, and you have nobody now so near to you as I am. I