that I
am almost inclined to toss up."

"I would sooner cut my throat!" said Sir Thomas, forgetting his
wisdom amidst the perplexities of his position.

"Not quite that, Sir Thomas. I suppose you mean to say that anything
would be better than such a marriage?"

"I don't suppose you care for the girl," said Sir Thomas, crossly.

"I do not feel uneasy on that score. If I did not like her, and
think that I could love her, I would have nothing to do with it. She
herself is charming,--though I should lie if I were to say that she
were a lady."

"And the father offered her to you?"

"Most distinctly,--and named the fortune."

"Knowing your own condition as to money?"

"Almost exactly;--so much so that I do not doubt he will go on with
it when he knows everything. He had heard about my uncle's property,
and complimented me by saying that I am a,--gentleman."

"He does not deserve to have a daughter," said Sir Thomas.

"I don't know about that. According to his lights, he means to do the
best he can for her. And, indeed, I think myself that he might do
worse. She will probably become Mrs. Newton of Newton Priory if she
marries me; and the investment of Neefit's twenty thousand pounds
won't be so bad."

"Nothing on earth can make her a lady."

"I'm not so sure of that," said Ralph. "Nothing on earth can make her
mother a lady; but of Polly I should have hopes. You, however, are
against it?"

"Certainly."

"Then what ought I to do?" Sir Thomas rubbed the calf of his leg and
was silent. "The only advice you have given me hitherto was to cut my
throat," said Ralph.

"No, I didn't. I don't know what you're to do. You've ruined
yourself;--that's all."

"But there is a way out of the ruin. In all emergencies there is a
better and a worse course. What, now, is the better course?"

"You don't know how to earn a shilling," said Sir Thomas.

"No; I don't," said Ralph Newton.

Sir Thomas rubbed his face and scratched his head; but did not know
how to give advice. "You have made your bed, and you must lie upon
it," he said.

"Exactly;--but which way am I to get into it, and which way shall I
get out?" Sir Thomas could only rub his face and scratch his head. "I
thought it best to come and tell you everything," said Ralph. That
was all very well, but Sir Thomas would not advise him to marry the
breeches-maker's daughter.

"It is a matter," Sir Thomas said at last, "in which you must be
guided by your own feelings