The two Johns left Enville Court together on the following Tuesday. And after reaching London, Jack began to write letters home pretty regularly, for that time,--always gay, airy, and sanguine. Jack's first letter conveyed the information that he was absolutely certain of obtaining the monopoly. Sir Christopher Hatton and Sir Walter Raleigh had both promised their interest, and any thought of failure after that was quite out of the question. The second letter brought the news that Sir Christopher was very ill--(in fact, he was dying)--and that, by some unfortunate mistake (with Jack, any want of capacity to see his immense value, was always a mistake), the monopoly had been granted to young Philip Hoby. But there was no reason for disappointment. Jack had had an unusual run of good luck that week at the gaming-table. It was quite Providential. For Jack, like some other gentlemen of his day, dealt largely in religious phrases, and did not trouble himself about religion in any other way. The third letter stated that Jack had not been able to obtain the grant of a wardship. That was another unfortunate mistake. But his good luck as a gamester still kept up, and my Lord of 'Bergavenny was his very good lord. These items, also, were most Providential. The fourth letter informed his father that all his difficulties were at last surmounted. Providence had rewarded his merits as they deserved. He was on the eve of marriage. "To whom?" asked Lady Enville, with languid curiosity. "To seven thousand pounds," said Sir Thomas dryly; "that is as much as I can make out of the lad's letter." The fifth epistle condescended to rather mere detail. Jack's _fiancee_ was the daughter of an Earl, and the niece by marriage of a Viscount. She had a fortune of seven thousand pounds--that was the cream and chorus of the whole. But still it did not apparently occur to Jack that his friends at home might be interested to know the name of his beloved. "What must we call her?" asked Blanche. "We know not her name." "And we cannot say `Mistress Jack,' sith she hath a title," added Sir Thomas. "`My Lady Jack,'" laughingly suggested Rachel. And "Lady Jack" the bride was dubbed from that day forth. The sixth letter was longer in coming. But when it came it was short and sweet. Jack's nuptials were to be solemnised on the following day, and he and his bride would start three days later for Enville Court. There was a general flutter through the family. "Dear heart! how was Jack donned? I would give a broad shilling to know!" said Rachel satirically. "In white satin, trow, at the very least, with a mighty great F on his back, wrought in rubies." "F, Aunt Rachel!" repeated Blanche innocently. "You mean E, surely. What should F spell?" "Thou canst spell aught thou wilt therewith, child," said Rachel coolly, as she left the room. "Sir Thomas, I pray you of money," said Lady Enville, rousing up. "We have nought fit to show."