George was in the small parlour.

He did run up-stairs, and in three minutes had been kissed by Lady
Eardham and all her daughters. At this moment Gus was the "dearest
child" and the "best love of a thing" with all of them. Even Emily
remembered how pleasant it might be to have a room at Newton Priory,
and then success always gives a new charm.

"Have you seen Sir George?" asked Lady Eardham.

"Not as yet;--they said he was there, but I had to come up and see
her first, you know."

"Go down to him," said Lady Eardham, patting her prey on the back
twice. "When you've daughters of your own, you'll expect to be
consulted."

"She couldn't have done better, my dear fellow," said Sir George,
with kind, genial cordiality. "She couldn't have done better, to my
thinking, even with a peerage. I like you, and I like your family,
and I like your property; and she's yours with all my heart. A better
girl never lived."

"Thank you, Sir George."

"She has no money, you know."

"I don't care about money, Sir George."

"My dear boy, she's yours with all my heart; and I hope you'll make
each other happy."

CHAPTER LVI.

RALPH NEWTON IS BOWLED AWAY.

A day or two after his engagement, Ralph did write his letter to Sir
Thomas, and found when the moment came that the task was difficult.
But he wrote it. The thing had to be done, and there was nothing to
be gained by postponing it.

---- Club, June 2, 186--.

MY DEAR SIR THOMAS,--

You will, I hope, be glad to hear that I am engaged to be
married to Augusta Eardham, the second daughter of Sir
George Eardham, of Brayboro' Park, in Berkshire. Of course
you will know the name, and I rather think you were in
the House when Sir George sat for Berkshire. Augusta
has got no money, but I have not been placed under the
disagreeable necessity of looking out for a rich wife. I
believe we shall be married about the end of August. As
the ceremony will take place down at Brayboro', I fear
that I cannot expect that you or Patience and Clarissa
should come so far. Pray tell them my news, with my best
love.

Yours, most grateful for all your long kindness,

RALPH NEWTON.

I am very sorry that you should have been troubled by
letters from Mr. Neefit. The matter has been arranged at
last.

The letter when done was very simple, but it took him some time, and
much consideration. Should he or should he not allude to