“Oswald,” said the father, “I have sent for you because I think it may be as well to speak to you on some business.  Will you sit down?” Lord Chiltern sat down, but did not answer a word.  “I feel very unhappy about your sister’s fortune,” said the Earl.

“So do I,—­very unhappy.  We can raise the money between us, and pay her to-morrow, if you please it.”

“It was in opposition to my advice that she paid your debts.”

“And in opposition to mine too.”

“I told her that I would not pay them, and were I to give her back to-morrow, as you say, the money that she has so used, I should be stultifying myself.  But I will do so on one condition.  I will join with you in raising the money for your sister, on one condition.”

“What is that?”

“Laura tells me,—­indeed she has told me often,—­that you are attached to Violet Effingham.”

“But Violet Effingham, my lord, is unhappily not attached to me.”

“I do not know how that may be.  Of course I cannot say.  I have never taken the liberty of interrogating her upon the subject.”

“Even you, my lord, could hardly have done that.”

“What do you mean by that?  I say that I never have,” said the Earl, angrily.

“I simply mean that even you could hardly have asked Miss Effingham such a question.  I have asked her, and she has refused me.”

“But girls often do that, and yet accept afterwards the men whom they have refused.  Laura tells me that she believes that Violet would consent if you pressed your suit.”

“Laura knows nothing about it, my lord.”

“There you are probably wrong.  Laura and Violet are very close friends, and have no doubt discussed this matter between them.  At any rate, it may be as well that you should hear what I have to say.  Of course I shall not interfere myself.  There is no ground on which I can do so with propriety.”

“None whatever,” said Lord Chiltern.

The Earl became very angry, and nearly broke down in his anger.  He paused for a moment, feeling disposed to tell his son to go and never to see him again.  But he gulped down his wrath, and went on with his speech.  “My meaning, sir, is this;—­that I have so great faith in Violet Effingham, that I would receive her acceptance of your hand as the only proof which would be convincing to me of amendment in your mode of life.  If she were to do so, I would join with you in raising money to pay your sister, would make some further sacrifice with reference to an income for you and your wife, and—­would make you both welcome to Saulsby,—­if you chose to come.”  The Earl’s voice hesitated much and became almost tremulous as he made the last proposition.  And his eyes had fallen away from his son’s gaze, and he had bent a little over the table, and was moved.  But he recovered himself at once, and added, with all proper dignity, “If you have anything to say I shall be glad to hear it.”