Sir Thomas was hot and tired after his walk, and there was some little fuss in getting him soda-water and tea. And as it was plain to see that things were not quite comfortable, Ralph Newton at last took his departure, so as to catch the earlier of the two trains which had been mentioned. It was, nevertheless, past ten when he went;--and then Sir Thomas, sitting at the open window of the drawing-room, again took out the letter. "Patience," he said, addressing his elder daughter as he withdrew the enclosure from the envelope, "Mary Bonner will be in England in a fortnight. What shall we do for her?" As he spoke he held the letter in a manner which justified the girl in taking it from his hand. He allowed it to go to her, and she read it before she answered him. It was a very sad letter, cold in its language, but still full of pathos. Her friends in the West Indies,--such friends as she had,--had advised her to proceed to England. She was given to understand that when her father's affairs should be settled there would be left to her not more than a few hundred pounds. Would her uncle provide for her some humble home for the present, and assist her in her future endeavours to obtain employment as a governess? She could, she thought, teach music and French, and would endeavour to fit herself for the work of tuition in other respects. "I know," she said, "how very slight is my claim upon one who has never seen me, and who is connected with me only by my poor mother;--but perhaps you will allow me to trouble you so far in my great distress." "She must come here, of course, papa," said Patience, as she handed the letter to Clarissa. "Yes, she must come here," said Sir Thomas. "But I mean, to stay,--for always." "Yes,--to stay for always. I cannot say that the arrangement is one to which I look forward with satisfaction. A man does not undertake new duties without fears;--and especially not such a duty as this, to which I can see no end, and which I may probably be quite unable to perform." "Papa, I am sure she will be nice," said Clarissa. "But why are you sure, my dear? We will not argue that, however. She must come; and we will hope that she will prove to be what Clarissa calls nice. I cannot allow my sister's child to go out into the world as a governess while I have a home to offer her. She must come here as one of our household. I only hope she will not interfere with your happiness." "I am sure she will not," said Clarissa. "We will determine that she shall add to it, and will do our best to make her happy," said Patience.