He did think, during the two or three days which passed without any farther step on his part,—­he did think how it might be were he to remain unmarried.  As regarded his own comfort, he was greatly tempted.  Life would remain so easy to him!  But then duty demanded of him that he should marry, and he was a man who, in honest, sober talk, thought much of his duty.  He was absurdly credulous, and as obstinate as a mule.  But he did wish to do what was right.  He had been convinced that Harry Annesley was a false knave, and had been made to swear an oath that Harry should not be his heir.  Harry had been draped in the blackest colors, and to each daub of black something darker had been added by his uncle’s memory of those neglected sermons.  It was now his first duty in life to beget an heir, and for that purpose a wife must be had.

Putting aside the ponies and the champagne,—­and the despatched crab, the sound of which, as coming to him from Miss Tickle’s mouth, was uglier than the other sounds,—­he still thought that Miss Thoroughbung would answer his purpose.  From her side there would not be making of a silk purse; but then “the boy” would be his boy as well as hers, and would probably take more after the father.  He passed much of these days with the “Peerage” in his hand, and satisfied himself that the best blood had been maintained frequently by second-rate marriages.  Health was a great thing.  Health in the mother was everything.  Who could be more healthy than Miss Thoroughbung?  Then he thought of that warm embrace.  Perhaps, after all, it was right that she should embrace him after what he had said to her.

Three days only had passed by, and he was still thinking what ought to be his next step, when there came to him a letter from Messrs. Soames & Simpson, attorneys in Buntingford.  He had heard of Messrs. Soames & Simpson, had been familiar with their names for the last twenty years, but had never dreamed that his own private affairs should become a matter of consultation in their office.  Messrs. Grey & Barry, of Lincoln’s Inn, were his lawyers, who were quite gentlemen.  He knew nothing against Messrs. Soames & Simpson, but he thought that their work consisted generally in the recovery of local debts.  Messrs. Soames & Simpson now wrote to him with full details as to his future life.  Their client Miss Thoroughbung, had communicated to them his offer of marriage.  They were acquainted with all the lady’s circumstances, and she had asked them for their advice.  They had proposed to her that the use of her own income should be by deed left to herself.  Some proportion of it should go into the house, and might be made matter of agreement.  They suggested that an annuity of a thousand pounds a year, in shape of dower, should be secured to their client in the event of her outliving Mr. Prosper.  The estate should, of course, be settled on the eldest child.  The mother’s property should be equally divided among the other