’I will not say that they are, but I do not
know. Having Anglican tendencies I have been
wont to contradict my countrymen when they have told
me of the narrow exclusiveness of your nobles.
Having found your nobles and your commoners all alike
in their courtesy,— which is a cold word;
in their hospitable friendships,—I would
now not only contradict, but would laugh to scorn
any such charge,’—so far he spoke
somewhat loudly, and then dropped his voice as he
concluded,—’were it anything less
than the happiness of my child that is in question.’
’What am I to say, sir? I only know this;
I am not going to lose her.’
’You are a fine fellow. I was going to
say that I wished you were an American, so that Isabel
need not lose you. But, my boy, I have told you
that I do not know how it might be. Of all whom
you know, who could best tell me the truth on such
a subject? Who is there, whose age will have
given him experience, whose rank will have made him
familiar with this matter, who from friendship to you
would be least likely to decide against your wishes,
who from his own native honesty would be most likely
to tell the truth?’
‘You mean my father,’ said Silverbridge.
’I do mean your father. Happily he has
taken no dislike to the girl herself. I have
seen enough of him to feel that he is devoted to his
own children.’
‘Indeed he is.’
’A just and liberal man;—one whom
I should say not carried away by prejudices!
Well,—my girl and I have just put our heads
together, and we have come to a conclusion. If
the Duke of Omnium will tell us that she would be
safe as your wife,—safe from the contempt
of those around her,—you shall have her.
And I shall rejoice to give her to you,—not
because you are Lord Silverbridge, not because of
your rank and wealth; but because you are—that
individual human being whom I now hold by the hand.’
‘What am I to Say, Sir?’
When Silverbridge left Mr Boncassen’s house
he was resolved to go to his father without an hour’s
delay, and represent to the Duke exactly how the case
stood. He would be urgent, piteous, submissive,
and eloquent. In any other matter he would promise
to make whatever arrangements his father might desire.
He would make his father understand that all his happiness
depended on this marriage. When once married
he would settle down, even at Gatherum Castle if the
Duke should wish it. He would not think of racehorses,
he would desert the Beargarden, he would learn blue-books
by heart, and only do as much shooting and hunting
as would become a young nobleman in his position.
All this he would say as eagerly and as pleasantly
as it might be said. But he would add to all
this an assurance of his unchangeable intention.
It was his purpose to marry Isabel Boncassen.
If he could do this with his father’s good will,—so
best. But at any rate he would marry her!
