Thoughts of maiden boldness flitted across her mind, but she could not communicate them even to the girls who were her friends. Yet in silence and in solitude she resolved that the time should come in which she would be bold. Then young Newton's second letter reached the house, and that also had been read to her. "He is quite right," said Sir Thomas. "Of course it releases both of you." "There was nothing to release," said Mary, proudly. "I mean to say that having made such a proposition as was contained in his first letter, he was bound to explain his altered position." "I suppose so," said Mary. "Of course he was. He had made his offer believing that he could make you mistress of Newton Priory,--and he had made it thinking that he himself could marry in that position. And he would have been in that position had not this most unforeseen and terrible calamity have occurred." "I do not see that it makes any difference," said Mary, in a whisper. "What do you mean, my dear?" "I hardly know, uncle." "Try to explain yourself, Mary." "If I had accepted any man when he was rich, I should not go back when he was poor,--unless he wanted it." This also she said in a whisper. "But you had not accepted him." "No," said Mary, still in a whisper. Sir Thomas, who was perhaps not very good at such things, did not understand the working of her mind. But had she dared, she would have asked her uncle to tell Mr. Newton to come and see her. Sir Thomas, having some dim inkling of what perhaps might be the case, did add a paragraph to his letter in which he notified to his correspondent that a personal visit would be taken in good part.