and
all that, I'll do anything that Miss Palliser may please.
She knows my taste about hunting, and I know hers, so that
there need not be any difference of opinion on that score.

Miss Palliser can't suspect me of any interested motives.
I come forward because I think she is the most charming
girl I ever saw, and because I love her with all my heart.
I haven't got very much to say for myself, but if she'll
consent to be the mistress of Spoon Hall, she shall have
all that the heart of a woman can desire.

Pray believe me,

My dear Lord Chiltern,

Yours very sincerely,

THOMAS PLATTER SPOONER.

As I believe that Miss Palliser is fond of books, it may
be well to tell her that there is an uncommon good library
at Spoon Hall. I shall have no objection to go abroad for
the honeymoon for three or four months in the summer.

The postscript was the Squire's own, and was inserted in opposition
to the cousin's judgment. "She won't come for the sake of the books,"
said the cousin. But the Squire thought that the attractions should
be piled up. "I wouldn't talk of the honeymoon till I'd got her to
come round a little," said the cousin. The Squire thought that the
cousin was falsely delicate, and pleaded that all girls like to be
taken abroad when they're married. The second half of the body of the
letter was very much disfigured by the Squire's petulance; so that
the modesty with which he commenced was almost put to the blush by
a touch of arrogance in the conclusion. That sentence in which the
Squire declared that an estate ought not to be crippled for the sake
of the widow was very much questioned by the cousin. "Such a word as
'widow' never ought to go into such a letter as this." But the Squire
protested that he would not be mealy-mouthed. "She can bear to think
of it, I'll go bail; and why shouldn't she hear about what she can
think about?" "Don't talk about furniture yet, Tom," the cousin said;
but the Squire was obstinate, and the cousin became hopeless. That
word about loving her with all his heart was the cousin's own, but
what followed, as to her being mistress of Spoon Hall, was altogether
opposed to his judgment. "She'll be proud enough of Spoon Hall if
she comes here," said the Squire. "I'd let her come first," said the
cousin.

We all know that the phraseology of the letter was of no importance
whatever. When it was received the lady was engaged to anoth