life who was not a lady; but I have not the
remotest wish to become second cousin by marriage to a
baronet's grandmother. I have told my mother all this, and
that you and I have settled the matter together; but I see
that she trusts to something that she has said or done
herself to upset our settling. Of course, what she has
said can have no effect on you. She has a right to speak
to me, but she has none to speak to you;--not as yet. But
she is the best woman in the world, and as soon as ever we
are married you will find that she will receive you with
open arms.

You know I spoke of our being married in August. I wish it
could have been so. If we could have settled it when I was
at Bragg's End, it might have been done. I don't, however,
mean to scold you, though it was your fault. But as it is,
it must now be put off till after Christmas. I won't name
a day yet for seeing you, because I couldn't well go to
Baslehurst without putting myself into Tappitt's way. My
lawyer says I had better not go to Baslehurst just at
present. Of course you will write to me constantly,--to
my address here; say, twice a week at least. And I shall
expect you to tell me everything that goes on. Give my
kind love to your mother.

Yours, dearest Rachel,
Most affectionately,

LUKE ROWAN.

The letter was not quite what Rachel had expected, but, nevertheless,
she thought it very nice. She had never received a love-letter
before, and probably had never read one,--even in print; so that she
was in possession of no strong preconceived notions as to the nature
or requisite contents of such a document. She was a little shocked
when Luke called his mother a goose;--she was a little startled
when he said that people were "liars," having an idea that the word
was one not to be lightly used;--she was amused by the allusion to
the baronet's grandmother, feeling, however, that the manner and
language of his letter was less pretty and love-laden than she had
expected;--and she was frightened when he so confidently called upon
her to write to him twice a week. But, nevertheless, the letter was
a genial one, joyous, and, upon the whole, comforting. She read it
very slowly, going back over much of it twice and thrice, so that her
mother became impatient before the perusal was finished.

"It seems to be very long," said Mrs. Ray.

"Yes, mamma, it is long. It's nearly four side