a better
mate than would have been his brother, and he was sure that she
herself would learn to know that it was so. He stood there long
enough to resolve that this which had been told him should be no
drawback upon his bliss. "Clary," he said, returning to her, "it is
settled?" She made him no answer. "My darling, I am as happy now
as though Ralph had never seen your sweet face, or heard your dear
voice. Look up at me once." Slowly she looked up into his eyes, and
then stood before him almost as a suppliant, and gave him her face to
be kissed. So at last they became engaged as man and wife;--though
it may be doubted whether she spoke another word before he left the
room.

It was, however, quite understood that they were engaged; and, though
he did not see Clarissa again, he received the congratulations both
of Patience and Mary Bonner before he left the house; and that very
night succeeded in hunting down Sir Thomas, so that he might tell the
father that the daughter had at last consented to become his wife.

CHAPTER LVIII.

CONCLUSION.

Clarissa had found it hard to change the object of her love, so hard,
that for a time she had been unwilling even to make the effort;--and
she had been ashamed that those around her should think that she
would make it; but when the thing was done, her second hero was
dearer to her than ever had been the first. He at least was true.
With him there was no need of doubt. His assurances were not conveyed
in words so light that they might mean much or little. This second
lover was a lover, indeed, who thought no pains too great to show her
that she was ever growing in his heart of hearts. For a while,--for
a week or two,--she restrained her tongue; but when once she had
accustomed herself to the coaxing kindness of her sister and her
cousin, then her eloquence was loosened, and Gregory Newton was a
god indeed. In the course of time she got a very pretty note from
Ralph, congratulating her, as he also had congratulated Polly, and
expressing a fear that he might not be home in time to be present
at the wedding. Augusta was so fond of Rome that they did not mean
to leave it till the late spring. Then, after a while, there came
to her, also, a watch and chain, twice as costly as those given to
Polly,--which, however, no persuasion from Gregory would ever induce
Clarissa to wear. In after time Ralph never noticed that the trinkets
were not worn.

The winter at Popham Villa went