DEAR FRIEND MR. DENBIGH,

“I have thought a great deal on the reason of your sudden departure from a house I had begun to hope you thought your own; and by calling to mind my own feelings when Lady Juliana became the heiress to her nephew’s estate, take it for granted you have been governed by the same sentiments; which I know both by my own experience and that of the bearer, Peter Johnson, is a never-failing accompaniment of pure affection.  Yes, my dear Denbigh, I honor your delicacy in not wishing to become indebted to a stranger, as it were, for the money on which you subsist, and that stranger your wife—­who ought in reason to look up to you, instead of your looking up to her; which was the true cause Lord Gosford would not marry the countess—­on account of her great wealth, as he assured me himself; notwithstanding, envious people said it was because her ladyship loved Mr Chaworth better:  so in order to remove these impediments of delicacy, I have to make three propositions, namely, that I bring you into parliament the next election for my own borough—­that you take possession of the lodge the day you marry Emmy, while I will live, for the little time I have to stay here, in the large cottage built by my uncle—­and that I give you your legacy of ten thousand pounds down, to prevent trouble hereafter.

“As I know nothing but delicacy has driven you away from us, I make no doubt you will now find all objections removed, and that Peter will bring back the joyful intelligence of your return to us, as soon as the business you left us on, is completed.

“Your uncle, that is to be,

“RODERIC BENFIELD.”

“N.B.  As Johnson is a stranger to the ways of the town, I wish you to advise his inexperience, particularly against the arts of designing women, Peter being a man of considerable estate, and great modesty.”

“There, nephew,” cried Mr. Benfield, as the baronet finished reading the letter aloud, “is it not unreasonable to refuse my offers?  Now read his answer.”

“Words are wanting to express the sensations which have been excited by Mr. Benfield’s letter; but it would be impossible for any man to be so base as to avail himself of such liberality:  the recollection of it, together with that of his many virtues, will long continue deeply impressed on the heart of him, whom Mr. Benfield would, if within the power of man, render the happiest amongst human beings.”

The steward listened eagerly to this answer, but after it was done he was as much at a loss to know its contents as before its perusal.  He knew it was unfavorable to their wishes, but could not comprehend its meaning or expressions, and immediately attributed their ambiguity to the strange conference he had witnessed between Denbigh and the military stranger.

“Master,” exclaimed Peter, with something of the elation of a discoverer, “I know the cause, it shows itself in the letter:  there was a man talking Greek to him while he was reading your letter.”