"I suppose it's something about that scamp, Ralph Newton," said Sir Thomas.
"No, indeed, papa; I am sure she does not think of him now." On this very morning, as the reader may perhaps remember, the scamp had gone down to Fulham, and from Fulham back to Brompton, in search of Clarissa; but of the scamp's energy and renewed affections, Patience as yet knew nothing. "Gregory has been up in London and has been down at Fulham once or twice. We want him to come again before he goes back on Saturday, and we thought if you would come home on Thursday, we could ask him to dinner." Sir Thomas scratched his head, and fidgeted in his chair. "Their cousin is in London also," continued Patience.
"The other Ralph; he who has bought Beamingham Hall?"
"Yes, papa; we saw him at the Academy. I told him how happy you would be to see him at Fulham."
"Of course I should be glad to see him; that is, if I happened to be at home," said Sir Thomas.
"But I could not name a day without asking you, papa."
"He will have gone back by this time," said Sir Thomas.
"I think not, papa."
"And what do you say, Mary?"
"I have nothing to say at all, uncle. If Mr. Newton likes to come to the villa, I shall be glad to see him. Why should I not? He has done nothing to offend me." There was a slight smile on her face as she spoke, and the merest hint of a blush on her cheek.