fine one. I won't be sure about all of his letter, because it is so long

since I was at school; and French books are generally unfit to read. But

the general meaning is something like this:

'MY BELOVED AND HIGHLY VALUED AUNT,--Since I heard from you there

are many years now, but I hope you have held me in memory. I have the

intention of returning to the country of England, even in this bad time

of winter, when the climate is most funereal. I shall do my best to call

back, if possible, the scattered ruins of the property, and to institute

again the name which my father made displeasing. In this good work you

will, I have faith, afford me your best assistance, and the influence

of your high connection in the neighbourhood. Accept, dear aunt, the

assurance of my highest consideration, of the most sincere and the most

devoted, and allow me the honour of writing myself your most loving and

respectful nephew,

'CARYL CARNE.'

Now, Joshua, what do you think of that?"

"Fine words and no substance; like all French stuff. And he never even

mentions me, who gave him a top, when he should have had the whip. I

will not pretend to understand him, for he always was beyond me. Dark

and excitable, moody and capricious, haughty and sarcastic, and devoid

of love for animals. You remember his pony, and what he did to it, and

the little dog that crawled upon her stomach towards him. For your

sake I would have put up with him, my dear, and striven to improve his

nature, which is sure to be much worse at six-and-twenty, after so many

years abroad. But I confess it is a great relief to me that you wisely

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