er for Miss Thoroughbung.

He did think, during the two or three days which passed without any
farther step on his part,--he did think how it might be were he to remain
unmarried. As regarded his own comfort, he was greatly tempted. Life
would remain so easy to him! But then duty demanded of him that he
should marry, and he was a man who, in honest, sober talk, thought much
of his duty. He was absurdly credulous, and as obstinate as a mule. But
he did wish to do what was right. He had been convinced that Harry
Annesley was a false knave, and had been made to swear an oath that
Harry should not be his heir. Harry had been draped in the blackest
colors, and to each daub of black something darker had been added by his
uncle's memory of those neglected sermons. It was now his first duty in
life to beget an heir, and for that purpose a wife must be had.

Putting aside the ponies and the champagne,--and the despatched crab, the
sound of which, as coming to him from Miss Tickle's mouth, was uglier
than the other sounds,--he still thought that Miss Thoroughbung would
answer his purpose. From her side there would not be making of a silk
purse; but then "the boy" would be his boy as well as hers, and would
probably take more after the father. He passed much of these days with
the "Peerage" in his hand, and satisfied himself that the best blood had
been maintained frequently by second-rate marriages. Health was a great
thing. Health in the mother was everything. Who could be more healthy
than Miss Thoroughbung? Then he thought of that warm embrace. Perhaps,
after all, it was right that she should embrace him after what he had
said to her.

Three days only had passed by, and he was still thinking what ought to
be his next step, when there came to him a letter from Messrs. Soames &
Simpson, attorneys in Buntingford. He had heard of Messrs. Soames &
Simpson, had been familiar with their names for the last twenty years,
but had never dreamed that his own private affairs should become a
matter of consultation in their office. Messrs. Grey & Barry, of
Lincoln's Inn, were his lawyers, who were quite gentlemen. He knew
nothing against Messrs. Soames & Simpson, but he thought that their work
consisted generally in the recovery of local debts. Messrs. Soames &
Simpson now wrote to him with full details as to his future life. Their
client Miss Thoroughbung, had communicated to them his offer of
marriage. They were acquainted with all the l