CHAPTER LIV.

MY MARY.

Both the invitations sent by Patience Underwood were accepted, and
Sir Thomas, on the day named, was at home to receive them. Nothing
had as yet been done as to the constructing of those cases which he
so suddenly ordered to be made for his books; and, indeed, Stemm had
resolved to take the order as meaning nothing. It would not be for
him to accelerate his master's departure from Southampton Buildings,
and he knew enough of the man to be aware that he must have some very
strong motive indeed before so great a change could be really made.
When Sir Thomas left Southampton Buildings for Fulham, on the day
named for the dinner, not a word further had been said about packing
the books.

There was no company at the villa besides Sir Thomas, the three
girls, and the two young men. As to Clarissa, Patience said not a
word, even to her father,--that must still be left till time should
further cure the wound that had been made;--but she did venture to
suggest, in private with Sir Thomas, that it was a pity that he who
was certainly the more worthy of the two Ralphs should not be made
to understand that others did not think so much of the present
inferiority of his position in the world as he seemed to think
himself.

"You mean that Mary would take him?" asked Sir Thomas.

"Why should she not, if she likes him? He is very good."

"I can't tell him to offer to her, without telling him also that he
would be accepted."

"No;--I suppose not," said Patience.

Nevertheless, Sir Thomas did speak to Ralph Newton before
dinner,--stuttering and muttering, and only half finishing his
sentence. "We had a correspondence once, Mr. Newton. I dare say you
remember."

"I remember it very well, Sir Thomas."

"I only wanted to tell you;--you seem to think more about what has
taken place,--I mean as to the property,--than we do;--that is, than
I do."

"It has made a change."

"Yes; of course. But I don't know that a large place like Newton
is sure to make a man happy. Perhaps you'd like to wash your hands
before dinner." Gregory, in the meantime, was walking round the
garden with Mary and Clarissa.

The dinner was very quiet, but pleasant and cheerful. Sir Thomas
talked a good deal, and so did Patience. Mary also was at her ease,
and able to do all that was required of her. Ralph certainly was not
gay. He was seated next to Clarissa, and spoke a few words now and
again; but he was arranging matters in hi