He had heard it said of her,—as he now
well remembered, in his father’s presence,—that
she had behaved remarkably well in trying circumstances.
She had no fortune;—everybody knew that;
but then he did not want fortune. Would not this
be a good opportunity for breaking the matter to his
father? ’You have never thought of any
one?’ asked the Duke,—again very sweetly,
very softly.
‘But I have!’ Lord Silverbridge as he
made the announcement blushed up to the eyes.
Then there came over the father something almost of
fear. If he was to be told, how would it be if
he could not approve? ’Yes I have,’
said Silverbridge, recovering himself. ’If
you wish it, I will tell you who it is.’
’Nay, my boy;—as to that consult
your own feelings. Are you sure of yourself?’
‘Oh, yes.’
‘Have you spoken to her?’
’Well;—yes in part. She has
not accepted me, if you mean that. Rather the
contrary.’
Now the Duke would have been very unwilling to say
that his son would certainly be accepted by any girl
in England to whom he might choose to offer his hand.
But when the idea of a doubt was suggested to him,
it did seem odd that his son should ask in vain.
What other young man was there who could offer so much,
and who was at the same time so likely to be loved
for his own sake? He smiled however and was silent.
’I suppose I may as well out with it,’
said Silverbridge. ‘You know Lady Mabel
Grex?’
‘Lady Mabel Grex. Yes,—I know
her.’
‘Is there any objection?’
‘Is she not your senior?’
‘No, sir; she is younger than I am.’
‘Her father is not a man I esteem.’
‘But she has always been so good!’ Then
the Duke was again silent. ‘Have you not
heard that, sir?’
‘I think I have.’
‘Is not that a great deal?’
’A very great deal. To be good must of
all qualities be the best. She is very beautiful.’
‘I think so, sir. Of course she has no
money.’
’It is not needed. It is not needed.
I have no objection to make. If you are sure
of your own mind—’
‘I am quite sure of that, sir.’
’Then I will raise no objection. Lady Mabel
Grex! Her father, I fear, is not a worthy man.
I hear that he is a gambler.’
‘He is so poor!’
’That makes it worse, Silverbridge. A man
who gambles because he has money that he can afford
to lose is, to my thinking, a fool. But he who
gambles because he has none, is—well, let
us hope the best of him. You may give her my
love.’
‘She has not accepted me.’
‘But should she do so, you may.’
’She almost rejected me. But I am not sure
that she was in earnest, and I mean to try again.’
Just at that moment the door was opened and Major
Tifto walked into the room.
Major Tifto and the Duke
