The Belton Estate

"I want her to have it all," said William Belton to Mr. Green, the lawyer, when they came to discuss the necessary arrangements for the property. "But that would be absurd." "Never mind. It is what I wish. I suppose a man may do what he likes with his own." "She won't take it," said the lawyer. "She must take it, if you manage the matter properly," said Will. "I don't suppose it will make much difference," said the lawyer,--"now that Captain Aylmer is out of the running."

Estate gift after Aylmer exits closes the rival-engagement arc — property and love fuse — so plot scores 86.

Will Belton, whom no one had seen for many years, but who was by blood nearer to the squire, in default of children of his own, than any other of his relatives. And now Will Belton was the heir to Belton Castle; for Charles Amedroz, at the age of twenty-seven, had found the miseries of the world to be too many for him, and had put an end to them and to himself.

Unseen cousin-heir arrives after Charles's suicide — Will's blunt claim against Aylmer's polish — so cast scores 87.

At the door of the hotel of the Great Northern Railway Station they met Captain Aylmer. Rooms had been taken there because they were to start by an early train on that line in the morning, and Captain Aylmer had undertaken to order dinner. There was nothing particular in the meeting to make it unpleasant to our friend Will. The fortunate rival could do no more in the hall of the inn than give his hand to his affianced bride

Rival handshake in a railway hotel — transit compression of long engagement strain — so pace scores 83.

The park was large, including some three or four hundred acres, and was peopled, rather thinly, by aristocratic deer. It was surrounded by an aristocratic paling, and was entered, at three different points, by aristocratic lodges. The sheep were more numerous than the deer, because Sir Anthony, though he had a large income, was not in very truth a rich man.

Aristocratic deer/sheep irony — Park chill rendered as inventory comedy — so prose scores 85.

Aylmer Park and the great house of the Aylmers together formed an important, and, as regarded in some minds, an imposing country residence. The park was large, including some three or four hundred acres, and was peopled, rather thinly, by aristocratic deer.

Imposing Park vs Belton remnant — two estates as marriage geopolitics — so world scores 86.

Mrs. Amedroz, the wife of Bernard Amedroz, Esq., of Belton Castle, and mother of Charles and Clara Amedroz, died when those children were only eight and six years old, thereby subjecting them to the greatest misfortune which children born in that sphere of life can be made to suffer.

Childhood misfortune before inheritance crisis — remnant family planted — so hook scores 87.

What had Captain Aylmer meant by telling her that they might be the dearest friends--by saying so much as that, and then saying no more? Of course Clara asked herself that question as soon as she was alone in her bedroom, after leaving Captain Aylmer below. And she made two answers to herself--two answers which were altogether distinct and contradictory one of the other.

Half-spoken engagement as moral puzzle — honour novel without sensation crime — so innov scores 81.

About two months after the scene described in the last chapter, when the full summer had arrived, Clara received two letters from the two lovers, the history of whose loves have just been told, and these shall be submitted to the reader, as they will serve to explain the manner in which the two men proposed to arrange their affairs.

Dual letters arrange affairs after Park ordeal — comic paperwork seal on estate love — so ending scores 86.