orry to say that I had not perceived from your
manner that you entertained any peculiar feelings towards
me; as, had I done so, I should at once have endeavoured
to put an end to them. I am much flattered by the way in
which you speak of me; but I am in too humble a position
to return your affection; and can, therefore, only express
a hope that you may be soon able to eradicate it from your
bosom. A letter is a very good way of making an offer, and
as such I do not think it at all odd; but I certainly did
not expect such an honour last night. As to my raillery, I
trust it has never yet hurt you. I can assure you it never
shall. I hope you will soon have a worthier ambition than
that to which you allude; for I am well aware that no
attempt will ever make me shine anywhere.

I am quite sure you have had no mercenary motives: such
motives in marriage are very base, and quite below your
name and lineage. Any little fortune that I may have must
be a matter of indifference to one who looks forward, as
you do, to put a coronet on his wife's brow. Nevertheless,
for the sake of the family, I trust that Lord Porlock, in
spite of his obstacles, may live to do the same for a wife
of his own some of these days. I am glad to hear that
there is nothing to interfere with your own prospects of
domestic felicity.

Sincerely hoping that you may be perfectly successful in
your proud ambition to shine in Parliament, and regretting
extremely that I cannot share that ambition with you, I
beg to subscribe myself, with very great respect,--

Your sincere well-wisher,

MARTHA DUNSTABLE.

The Honourable George, with that modesty which so well became him,
accepted Miss Dunstable's reply as a final answer to his little
proposition, and troubled her with no further courtship. As he said
to his brother John, no harm had been done, and he might have better
luck next time. But there was an inmate of Courcy Castle who was
somewhat more pertinacious in his search after love and wealth. This
was no other than Mr Moffat: a gentleman whose ambition was not
satisfied by the cares of his Barchester contest, or the possession
of one affianced bride.

Mr Moffat was, as we have said, a man of wealth; but we all know,
from the lessons of early youth, how the love of money increases and
gains strength by its own success. Nor was he a man of so mean a
spirit as to be