of my marriage, as would have been usual, had
I been his legitimate heir. I think it best to be frank
about this, as I should not have ventured to propose
such a marriage either to you or to Miss Bonner, had
not my father's solicitude succeeded in placing me in
circumstances which may, perhaps, be regarded as in part
compensating the great misfortune of my birth.

It may probably be right that I should add that I have
said no word on this subject to Miss Bonner. I have
hitherto felt myself constrained by the circumstances to
which I have alluded from acting as other men may act.
Should you be unwilling to concede that the advantages
of fortune which have now fallen in my way justify me in
proposing to myself such a marriage, I hope that you will
at least excuse my application to yourself.

Very faithfully yours,

RALPH NEWTON.

Sir Thomas read the letter twice before he spoke a word to his
daughter. Then, after pausing with it for a moment in his hand, he
threw it to her across the bed. "Miss Mary is in luck," he said;--"in
very great luck. It is a magnificent property, and as far as I can
see, one of the finest young fellows I ever met. You understand about
his birth?"

"Yes," said Patience, almost in a whisper.

"It might be a hindrance to him in some circumstances; but not here.
It is nothing here. Did you know of this?"

"No, indeed."

"Nor Mary?"

"It will be quite a surprise to her. I am sure it will."

"You think, then, that there has been nothing said,--not a word about
it?"

"I am sure there has not, papa. Clarissa had some joke with
Mary,--quite as a joke."

"Then there has been a joke?"

"It meant nothing. And as for Mr. Newton, he could not have dreamed
of anything of the kind. We all liked him."

"So did I. The property will be much better with him than with the
other. Mary is a very lucky girl. That's all I can say. As for the
letter, it's the best letter I ever read in my life."

There was some delay before Sir Thomas could write an answer to young
Newton. It was, indeed, his left arm that had suffered; but even
with so much of power abstracted, writing is not an easy task. And
this was a letter the answering of which could not be deputed to any
secretary. On the third day after its receipt Sir Thomas did manage
with much difficulty to get a reply written.

DEAR MR. NEWTON,--

I have had my left arm broken in the election