But it is natural that the father should yearn for the
son, while the son's feeling for the father is of a very much weaker
nature. Here, at any rate, was that engagement made which he had
ever desired. And his son had made a step, though it was so very
unsatisfactory a step, towards reconciliation. When the old man read
the letter a second time, he skipped that reference to fatted calves
which had been so peculiarly distasteful to him, and before the
evening had passed he had answered his son as follows;--
Saulsby, December 29, 186--.
MY DEAR CHILTERN,
I have received your letter, and am truly delighted to hear that dear
Violet has accepted you as her husband. Her fortune will be very
material to you, but she herself is better than any fortune. You have
long known my opinion of her. I shall be proud to welcome her as a
daughter to my house.
I shall of course write to her immediately, and will endeavour to
settle some early day for her coming here. When I have done so, I
will write to you again, and can only say that I will endeavour to
make Saulsby comfortable to you.
Your affectionate father,
BRENTFORD.
Richards, the groom, is still here. You had perhaps better write to
him direct about your horses.
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