telling his brother what he had
done. The writing of letters was ever a trouble to him, and on this
occasion he told his tidings in a line or two. "Dear Greg., I have
accepted my uncle's offer. It was better so. When I wrote to you
before things were different. I need not tell you that my heart is
sore for the old place. Had I stuck to it, however, I should have
beggared you and disgraced myself. Yours affectionately, R. N." That
was all. What more was to be said which, in the saying, could be
serviceable to any one? The dear old place! He would never see it
again. Nothing on earth should induce him to go there, now that it
could under no circumstances be his own. It would still belong to a
Newton, and he would try and take comfort in that. He might at any
rate have done worse with it. He might have squandered his interest
among the Jews, and so have treated his inheritance that it must have
been sold among strangers.

He was very low in spirits for two or three days, thinking of all
this. He had been with his lawyer, and his lawyer had told him that
it must yet be some weeks before the sale would be perfected. "Now
that it is done, the sooner the better," said Ralph. The lawyer told
him that if he absolutely wanted ready money for his present needs
he could have it; but that otherwise it would be better for him to
wait patiently,--say for a month. He was not absolutely in want of
money, having still funds which had been supplied to him by the
breeches-maker. But he could not remain in town. Were he to remain in
town, Neefit would be upon him; and, in truth, though he was quite
clear in his conscience in regard to Polly, he did not wish to have
to explain personally to Mr. Neefit that he had sold his interest in
Newton Priory. The moment the money was in his hands he would pay Mr.
Neefit; and then--; why then he thought that he would be entitled
to have Mr. Neefit told that he was not at home should Mr. Neefit
trouble him again.

He would marry and live somewhere very quietly;--perhaps take a small
farm and keep one hunter. His means would be sufficient for that,
even with a wife and family. Yes;--that would be the kind of life
most suited for him. He would make a great change. He would be simple
in his habits, domestic, and extravagant in nothing. To hunt once
a week from his own little country house would be delightful. Who
should be the mistress of that home? That of all questions was now
the most important.

T