el Stubbs any more than my
friends can make her marry me. I wish they could. I mean
my friends, not his.

If she were really engaged I would go away and hide myself
in the furthermost corner of the world. Siberia or Central
Africa would be the same to me. They would have little
trouble in getting rid of me if I knew that it was all
over with me. BUT I WILL NEVER STIR FROM THESE REALMS TILL
I KNOW MY FATE!--Therefore, waiting your reply, I am your
affectionate nephew,

THOMAS TRINGLE, junior.

Mr. Dosett, when he received this letter, consulted his wife before
he replied to it, and then did so very shortly;--

MY DEAR TOM,

As far as I know, or her aunt, your cousin Ayala is not
engaged to marry any one. But I should deceive you if I
did not add my belief that she is resolved not to accept
the offer you have done her the honour to make her.

Your affectionate uncle,

REGINALD DOSETT.

The latter portion of this paragraph had no influence whatsoever
on Tom. Did he not know all that before? Had he ever attempted to
conceal from his relations the fact that Ayala had refused him again
and again? Was not that as notorious to the world at large as a
minister's promise that the income-tax should be abolished? But the
income-tax was not abolished,--and, as yet, Ayala was not married to
any one else. Ayala was not even engaged to any other suitor. Why
should she not change her mind as well as the minister? Certainly he
would not go either to the North Pole or to New York as long as there
should be a hope of bliss for him in England. Then he called his
mother to his bedside.

"Go to Stalham, my dear!" said his mother.

"Why not? They can't eat you. Lady Albury is no more than a Baronet's
wife,--just the same as you."

"It isn't about eating me, Tom. I shouldn't know what to say to
them."

"You need not tell them anything. Say that you had come to call upon
your niece."

"But it would be such an odd thing to do. I never do call on
Ayala,--even when I am in London."

"What does it matter being odd? You could learn the truth at any
rate. If she does not care for any one else why shouldn't she have
me? I could make her a baronet's wife,--that is, some day when the
governor--"

"Don't, Tom;--don't talk in that way."

"I only mean in the course of nature. Sons do come after their
fathers, you know. And as for money, I suppose the governor is quite
as rich