me for advice, and I grieve to say, has formed a
project of placing himself right again as regards money by
offering marriage to the daughter of a retail tradesman. I
have reason to believe that hitherto he has not committed
himself; but I think that the young woman's father would
accept the offer, if made. The money, I do not doubt,
would be forthcoming; but the result could not be
fortunate. He would then have allied himself with people
who are not fit to be his associates, and he would have
tied himself to a wife who, whatever may be her merits as
a woman, cannot be fit to be the mistress of Newton
Priory. But I have not known what advice to give him. I
have pointed out to him the miseries of such a match; and
I have also told him how surely his prospects for the
future would be ruined, were he to attempt to live on
money borrowed on the uncertain security of his future
inheritance. I have said so much as plainly as I know how
to say it;--but I have been unable to point out a third
course. I have not ventured to recommend him to make any
application to you.

It seems, however, to me, that I should be remiss in my
duty both to him and to you were I not to make you
acquainted with his circumstances,--so that you may
interfere, should you please to do so, either on his
behalf or on behalf of the property. Whatever offence
there may have been, I think there can have been none
personally from him to yourself. I beg you to believe that
I am far from being desirous to dictate to you, or to
point out to you this or that as your duty; but I venture
to think that you will be obliged to me for giving you
information which may lead to the protection of interests
which cannot but be dear to you. In conclusion, I will
only again say that Ralph himself is clever,
well-conditioned, and, as I most truly believe, a thorough
gentleman. Were the intercourse between you that of a
father and son, I think you would feel proud of the
relationship.

I remain, dear sir,
Very faithfully yours,

THOMAS UNDERWOOD.

Gregory Newton, Esq., Newton Priory.

This was written on Friday night, and was posted on the Saturday
morning by the faithful hand of Joseph Stemm;--who, however, did not
hesitate to declare to himself, as he read the address, that his
master was a fool for his pains. Stemm had never been favourable t