go to Sir Thomas, tell his whole story without reserve, and ask his
old friend's advice! Everything without reserve he could not tell.
He could say nothing to the father of that scene on the lawn with
Clarissa. But of his own pecuniary difficulties, and of Mr. Neefit's
generous offer, he was sure that he could tell the entire truth.
He did go to Southampton Buildings, and after some harsh language
between himself and Mr. Stemm,--Sir Thomas being away at the
time,--he managed to make an appointment for nine o'clock that
evening at his late guardian's chambers. At nine o'clock precisely
he found himself seated with Sir Thomas, all among the books in
Southampton Buildings. "Perhaps you'll have a cup of tea," said Sir
Thomas. "Stemm, give us some tea." Ralph waited till the tea was
handed to him and Stemm was gone. Then he told his story.

He told it very fairly as against himself. He brought out his little
account and explained to the lawyer how it was that he made himself
out to be worth fifty pounds a year, and no more. "Oh, heavens, what
a mess you have made of it!" said the lawyer, holding up both his
hands. "No doubt I have," said Ralph,--"a terrible mess! But as I now
come to you for advice hear me out to the end. You can say nothing as
to my folly which I do not know already." "Go on," said Sir Thomas.
"Go on,--I'll hear you." It may, however, be remarked, by the way,
that when an old gentleman in Sir Thomas's position is asked his
advice under such circumstances, he ought to be allowed to remark
that he had prophesied all these things beforehand. "I told you so,"
is such a comfortable thing to say! And when an old gentleman has
taken much fruitless trouble about a young gentleman, he ought
at least not to be interrupted in his remarks as to that young
gentleman's folly. But Ralph was energetic, and, knowing that he had
a point before him, would go on with his story. "And now," he said,
"I am coming to a way of putting these things right which has been
suggested to me. You won't like it, I know. But it would put me on my
legs."

"Raising money on your expectations?" said Sir Thomas.

"No;--that is what I must come to if this plan don't answer."

"Anything will be better than that," said Sir Thomas.

Then Ralph dashed at the suggestion of marriage without further
delay. "You have heard of Mr. Neefit, the breeches-maker!" It so
happened that Sir Thomas never had heard of Mr. Neefit. "Well;--he is
a tradesman in