CHAPTER LVI.
RALPH NEWTON IS BOWLED AWAY.
A day or two after his engagement, Ralph did write his letter to Sir Thomas, and found when the moment came that the task was difficult. But he wrote it. The thing had to be done, and there was nothing to be gained by postponing it.
—— Club, June 2, 186—.
My dear Sir Thomas,—
You will, I hope, be glad to hear that I am engaged to be married to Augusta Eardham, the second daughter of Sir George Eardham, of Brayboro' Park, in Berkshire. Of course you will know the name, and I rather think you were in the House when Sir George sat for Berkshire. Augusta has got no money, but I have not been placed under the disagreeable necessity of looking out for a rich wife. I believe we shall be married about the end of August. As the ceremony will take place down at Brayboro', I fear that I cannot expect that you or Patience and Clarissa should come so far. Pray tell them my news, with my best love.
Yours, most grateful for all your long kindness,
Ralph Newton.
I am very sorry that you should have been troubled by letters from Mr. Neefit. The matter has been arranged at last.
The letter when done was very simple, but it took him some time, and much consideration. Should he or should he not allude to his former loves? It was certainly much easier to write his letter without any such allusion, and he did so.
About a week after this Sir Thomas went home to Fulham, and took the letter with him. "Clary," he said, taking his youngest daughter affectionately by the waist, when he found himself alone with her. "I've got a piece of news for you."
"For me, papa?"
"Well, for all of us. Somebody is going to be married. Who do you think it is?"
"Not Ralph Newton?" said Clarissa, with a little start.