"You forbid me," said the Chevalier, "you forbid Mademoiselle de Blois to marry your son, Mr.
Thomas! No, madam, she comes of a race which is not accustomed to ally itself with persons of your class; and is promised to a gentleman whose ancestors were dukes and peers when Mr.Newcome's were blacking shoes!" Instead of finding his pretty blushing girl on arriving at Woolwich, poor Tom only found his French master, livid with rage and quivering under his ailes de pigeon.

We pass over the scenes that followed; the young man's passionate entreaties, and fury and despair.

In his own defence, and to prove his honour to the world, M.de Blois determined that his daughter should instantly marry the Count.

The poor girl yielded without a word, as became her; and it was with this marriage effected almost before his eyes, and frantic with wrath and despair, that young Newcome embarked for India, and quitted the parents whom he was never more to see.
Tom's name was no more mentioned at Clapham.

His letters to his father were written to the City; very pleasant they were, and comforting to the father's heart.