g
further then. The lesson of self-restraint which she desired to teach
was very hard of teaching.

There was just a word spoken between Sir Thomas and Newton about the
property. "I intend to see Ralph Newton, if I can find him," said
Ralph who was not the heir.

"I don't think he is far from town," said Sir Thomas.

"My father thinks that we might come to an understanding."

"Perhaps so," said Sir Thomas.

"I have no strong anxiety on the subject myself," said Newton; "but
my father thinks that if he does wish to sell his reversion--"

"He doesn't wish it. How can a man wish it?"

"Under the circumstances it may be desirable."

"You had better see him, and I think he will tell you," said Sir
Thomas. "You must understand that a man thinks much of such a
position. Pray come to us again. We shall always be glad to see you
when you are in town."

CHAPTER XXIV.

"I FIND I MUST."

Ralph the heir had, after all, gone to Margate. Mr. Neefit had got
such a hold upon him that he had no help for it. He found himself
forced to go to Margate. When he was asked the second and third time,
with all the energy of Mr. Neefit's eloquence, he was unable to
resist. What reason could he give that he should not go to Margate,
seeing that it was a thing quite understood that he was to endeavour
to persuade Polly to be his wife. Neefit came to him two mornings
running, catching him each morning just as he was smoking his cigar
after breakfast, and was very eloquent. He already owed Mr. Neefit
over five hundred pounds, and the debt on the first of these mornings
was made up to one thousand pounds, a receipt being given for
the shop debt on one side, and a bond for the whole money, with
5 per cent. interest, being taken in return for it. "You'd better
pay off what little things you owes, Captain," said the generous
breeches-maker, "and then, when the time comes, we'll settle with the
gent about the 'orses." Neefit played his game very well. He said
not a word about selling the horses, or as to any restriction on his
young "Captain's" amusements. If you pull at your fish too hard you
only break your line. Neefit had a very fine fish on his hook, and he
meant to land it. Not a word was said about Margate on that occasion,
till the little pecuniary transaction was completed. Then the Captain
was informed that the Neefit family would certainly spend the next
week at that marine Paradise, and that Polly expected "the Captain's"