At last they came round in their walk to the gate leading into Colonel
Askerton's garden; and here in the garden, close to the gate, they
found Mrs Askerton. I fancy that she had been watching for them, or at
any rate watching for Clara, so that she might know how her friend was
carrying herself with her cousin. She came at once to the wicket, and
there she was introduced by Clara to Mr Belton. Mr Belton, as he made
his bow, muttered something awkwardly, and seemed to lose his self-
possession for the moment. Mrs Askerton was very gracious to him, and
she knew well how to be both gracious and ungracious. She talked about
the scenery, and the charms of the old place, and the dullness of the
people around them, and the inexpediency of looking for society in
country places; till after awhile Mr Belton was once more at his ease.

'How is Colonel Askerton?' asked Clara.

'He's in-doors. Will you come and see him? He's reading a French novel,
as usual. It's the only thing he ever does in summer. Do you ever read
French novels, Mr Belton?'

'I read very little at all, and when I do I read English.'

'Ah, you're a man who has a pursuit in life, no doubt.'

'I should rather think so that is, if you mean, by a pursuit, earning
my bread. A man has not much time for French novels with a thousand
acres of land on his hands; even if he knew how to read French, which I
don't.'

'But you're not always at work on your farm?'