now.'

'Indeed he would not; he would like it. He has told me so. It sounds so
cold to him to be called Mr Belton by his relations.'

The father looked at his daughter as though for a moment he also
suspected that matters had really been arranged between her and her
future lover without his concurrence, and before his sanction had been
obtained. But if for a moment such a thought did cress his mind, it did
not dwell there. He trusted Belton; but as to his daughter, he knew
that he might be sure of her. It would be impossible with her to keep
such a secret from him, even for half a day. And yet, how odd it was!
Here was a man who in three days had fallen in love with his daughter;
and here was his daughter apparently quite as ready to be in love with
the man. How could she, who was ordinarily circumspect, and almost cold
in her demeanour towards strangers who was from circumstances and from
her own disposition altogether hostile to flirting intimacies how could
this Clara have changed her nature so speedily? The squire did not
understand it, but was prepared to believe that it was all for the
best. 'I'll call him Will, if you like it,' said he.

'Do, papa, and then I can do so also. He is such a good fellow, and I
am so fond of him.'

On the next morning Mr Amedroz did, with much awkwardness, call his
guest by his Christian name. Clara caught her cousin's eye and smiled,
and he also smiled. At that moment he was more in love than ever. Could
anything be more charming than this? Immediately after breakfast he was
going over to Redicote, to see a builder in a small way who lived
there, and whom he proposed to employ in putting up the shed for the