, 186--.

DEAR SIR,--

After mature consideration I have resolved upon declining
the offer made to me by my uncle respecting the Newton
property.

Faithfully yours,

RALPH NEWTON.

Richard Carey, Esq.

It was very short, but it seemed to him to contain all that there
was to be said. He might, indeed, have expressed regret that so much
trouble had been occasioned;--but the trouble had been taken not for
his sake, and he was not bound to denude himself of his property
because his uncle had taken trouble.

When the letter was put into the Squire's hands in Mr. Carey's
private room, the Squire was nearly mad with rage. In spite of all
that his son had told him, in disregard of all his own solicitor's
cautions, in the teeth of his nephew Gregory's certainty, he had
felt sure that the thing would be done. The young man was penniless,
and must sell; and he could sell nowhere else with circumstances so
favourable. And now the young man wrote a letter as though he were
declining to deal about a horse! "It's some sham, some falsehood,"
said the Squire. "Some low attorney is putting him up to thinking
that he can get more out of me."

"It's possible," said Mr. Carey; "but there's nothing more to be
done." The Squire when last in London had asserted most positively
that he would not increase his bid.

"But he's penniless," said the Squire.

"There are those about him that will put him in the way of raising
money," said the lawyer.

"And so the property will go to the hammer,--and I can do nothing to
help it!" Mr. Carey did not tell his client that a gentleman had no
right to complain because he could not deal with effects which were
not his own; but that was the line which his thoughts took. The
Squire walked about the room, lashing himself in his rage. He could
not bear to be beaten. "How much more would do it?" he said at last.
It would be terribly bitter to him to be made to give way, to be
driven to increase the price; but even that would be less bitter than
failure.

"I should say nothing,--just at present, if I were you," said Mr.
Carey. The Squire still walked about the room. "If he raises money
on the estate we shall hear of it. And so much of his rights as pass
from him we can purchase. It will be more prudent for us to wait."

"Would another L5,000 do it at once?" said the Squire.

"At any rate I would not offer it," said Mr. Carey.

"Ah;--you don't understand. You don't feel w