’I hear that the young ladies and the young gentlemen have been out riding a race.  The poor little Bonner girl cannot ride, and she says to Carry that Rose wishes to break our brother’s neck.  The child hardly wishes that, but she is feelingless.  If Evan could care for Miss Bonner, he might have B. C.!  Oh, it is not so very long a shot, my dear.  I am on the spot, remember.  Old Mrs. Bonner is a most just-minded spirit.  Juliana is a cripple, and her grandmother wishes to be sure that when she departs to her Lord the poor cripple may not be chased from this home of hers.  Rose cannot calculate—­Harry is in disgrace—­there is really no knowing.  This is how I have reckoned; L10,000 extra to Rose; perhaps L1000 or nothing to H.; all the rest of ready-money—­a large sum—­no use guessing—­to Lady Jocelyn; and B. C. to little Bonner—­it is worth L40,000 Then she sells, or stops—­permanent resident.  It might be so soon, for I can see worthy Mrs. Bonner to be breaking visibly.  But young men will not see with wiser eyes than their own.  Here is Evan risking his neck for an indifferent—­there’s some word for “not soft.”  In short, Rose is the cold-blooded novice, as I have always said, the most selfish of the creatures on two legs.

’Adieu!  Would you have dreamed that Major Nightmare’s gallantry to his wife would have called forth a gallantry so truly touching and delicate?  Can you not see Providence there?  Out of Evil—­the Catholics again!

’Address.  If Lord Lax—–­’s half-brother.  If wrong in noddle.  This I know you will attend to scrupulously.  Ridiculous words are sometimes the most expressive.  Once more, may Heaven bless you all!  I thought of you in church last Sunday.

’I may tell you this:  young Mr. Laxley is here.  He—­but it was Evan’s utter madness was the cause, and I have not ventured a word to him.  He compelled Evan to assert his rank, and Mr. Forth’s face has been one concentrated sneer since then.  He must know the origin of the Cogglesbys, or something.  Now you will understand the importance.  I cannot be more explicit.  Only—­the man must go.

’P.S.  I have just ascertained that Lady Jocelyn is quite familiar with Andrew’s origin!!  She must think my poor Harriet an eccentric woman.  Of course I have not pretended to rank here, merely gentry.  It is gentry in reality, for had poor Papa been legitimized, he would have been a nobleman.  You know that; and between the two we may certainly claim gentry.  I twiddle your little good Andrew to assert it for us twenty times a day.  Of all the dear little manageable men!  It does you infinite credit that you respect him as you do.  What would have become of me I do not know.

’P.S.  I said two shawls—­a black and a white.  The black not so costly—­very well.  And so delicate of him to think of the mourning!  But the white, my dear, must be family—­must!  Old English point.  Exquisitely chaste.  So different from that Brussels poor Andrew surprised you with.  I know it cost money, but this is a question of taste.  The Duke reconciles me to England and all my troubles!  He is more like poor Papa than any one of the men I have yet seen.  The perfect gentleman!  I do praise myself for managing an invitation to our Carry.  She has been a triumph.’