DARTON,--I am as sensible as any woman can be of the goodness that leads you to make me this offer a second time.

Better women than I would be proud of the honour, for when I read your nice long speeches on mangold-wurzel, and such like topics, at the Casterbridge Farmers' Club, I do feel it an honour, I assure you.

But my answer is just the same as before.

I will not try to explain what, in truth, I cannot explain--my reasons; I will simply say that I must decline to be married to you.

With good wishes as in former times, I am, your faithful friend, 'SALLY HALL.' Darton dropped the letter hopelessly.