But in regard to her aunt's money she had entertained no established hopes; and when her aunt opened her mind to her on that subject, a few days before the arrival of the fatal news at Perivale, Clara, though she was somewhat surprised, was by no means disappointed.

Now there was a certain Captain Aylmer in the question, of whom in this opening chapter it will be necessary to say a few words.
Captain Frederic Folliott Aylmer was, in truth, the nephew of Mrs.
Winterfield, whereas Clara Amedroz was not, in truth, her niece.

And Captain Aylmer was also Member of Parliament for the little borough of Perivale, returned altogether on the Low Church interest,--for a devotion to which, and for that alone, Perivale was noted among boroughs.

These facts together added not a little to Mrs.
Winterfield's influence and professorial power in the place, and gave a dignity to the one-horse chaise which it might not otherwise have possessed.

But Captain Aylmer was only the second son of his father, Sir Anthony Aylmer, who had married a Miss Folliott, sister of our Mrs.Winterfield.On Frederic Aylmer his mother's estate was settled.
That and Mrs.Winterfield's property lay in the neighbourhood of Perivale; and now, on the occasion to which I am alluding, Mrs.
Winterfield thought it necessary to tell Clara that the property must all go together.