ll advise my young friend to make any
reparation in his power--short of marriage. I can say nothing
further, Mr. Neefit."

"And that's your idea of being on the square, Sir Thomas?"

"I can say nothing further, Mr. Neefit. As I have an appointment
made, I must ask you to leave me." As Sir Thomas said this, his hand
was upon the bell.

"Very well;--very well. As sure as my name's Neefit, he shall hear of
me. And so shall you, Sir Thomas. Don't you be poking at me in that
way, old fellow. I don't choose to be poked at." These last words
were addressed to Stemm, who had entered the room, and was holding
the door open for Mr. Neefit's exit with something more than the
energy customary in speeding a parting guest. Mr. Neefit, however,
did take his departure, and Sir Thomas joined Mr. Trigger in the
other room.

We will not be present at that interview. Sir Thomas had been in a
great hurry to get rid of Mr. Neefit, but it may be doubted whether
he found Mr. Trigger much better company. Mr. Trigger's business
chiefly consisted in asking Sir Thomas for a considerable sum of
money, and in explaining to him that the petition would certainly
cost a large sum beyond this,--unless the expenses could be saddled
on Westmacott and Moggs, as to which result Mr. Trigger seemed
to have considerable doubt. But perhaps the bitterest part of Mr.
Trigger's communication consisted in the expression of his opinion
that Mr. Griffenbottom should be held by Sir Thomas free from any
expense as to the petition, on the ground that Griffenbottom, had he
stood alone, would certainly have carried one of the seats without
any fear of a petition. "I don't think I can undertake that, Mr.
Trigger," said Sir Thomas. Mr. Trigger simply shrugged his shoulders.

Sir Thomas, when he was alone, was very uncomfortable. While at
Percycross he had extracted from Patience an idea that Ralph the heir
and Clarissa were attached to each other, and he had very strongly
declared that he would not admit an engagement between them. At that
time Ralph was supposed to have sold his inheritance, and did not
stand well in Sir Thomas's eyes. Then had come the Squire's death and
the altered position of his late ward. Sir Thomas would be injured,
would be made subject to unjust reproach if it were thought of him
that he would be willing to give his daughter to a young man simply
because that young man owned an estate. He had no such sordid feeling
in regard to his girls. Bu