o
the cause of young Newton, and had considered from the first that Sir
Thomas should have declined the trust that had been imposed upon him.
What good was to be expected from such a guardianship? And as things
had gone on, proving Stemm's prophecies as to young Newton's career
to be true, that trusty clerk had not failed to remind his master of
his own misgivings. "I told you so," had been repeated by Stemm over
and over again, in more phrases than one, until the repetition had
made Sir Thomas very angry. Sir Thomas, when he gave the letter to
Stemm for posting, said not a word of the contents; but Stemm knew
something of old Mr. Gregory Newton and the Newton Priory estate.
Stemm, moreover, could put two and two together. "He's a fool for his
pains;--that's all," said Stemm, as he poked the letter into the box.

During the whole of the next day the matter troubled Sir Thomas. What
if Ralph should go at once to the breeches-maker's daughter,--the
thought of whom made Sir Thomas very sick,--and commit himself before
an answer should be received from Mr. Newton? It was only on Sunday
that an idea struck him that he might still do something further to
avoid the evil;--and with this object he despatched a note to Ralph,
imploring him to wait for a few days before he would take any steps
towards the desperate remedy of matrimony. Then he begged Ralph to
call upon him again on the Wednesday morning. This note Ralph did not
get till he went home on the Sunday evening;--at which time, as the
reader knows, he had not as yet committed himself to the desperate
remedy.

On the following Tuesday Sir Thomas received the following letter
from Mr. Newton:--

Newton Priory, 17th July, 186--.

DEAR SIR,--

I have received your letter respecting Mr. Ralph Newton's
affairs, in regard to which, as far as they concern
himself, I am free to say that I do not feel much
interest. But you are quite right in your suggestion that
my solicitude in respect of the family property is very
great. I need not trouble you by pointing out the nature
of my solicitude, but may as well at once make an offer to
you, which you, as Mr. Ralph Newton's friend, and as an
experienced lawyer, can consider,--and communicate to him,
if you think right to do so.

It seems that he will be driven to raise money on his
interest in this property. I have always felt that he
would do so, and that from the habits of his