Silverbridge paused a moment, trusting that he might be able to escape the making of an answer;—­but the Duke evidently intended to have an answer.  ’It appeared to me, sir, that it did not seem to suit her,’ said the hardly-driven young man.  He could not now say that Mabel had shown a disposition to reject his offer, because as they had been sitting by the brookside at Killancodlem, even he, with all his self-diffidence, had been forced to see what were her wishes.  Her confusion, and too evident despair when she heard of the offer to the American girl, had plainly told her tale.  He could not now plead to his father that Mabel Grex would refuse his offer.  But his self-defence, when first he found that he had lost himself in love for the American, had been based on that idea.  He had done his best to make Mabel understand him.  If he had not actually offered to her, he had done the next thing to it.  And he had run after her, till he was ashamed of such running.  She had given him no encouragement;—­and therefore he had been justified.  No doubt he must have been mistaken; that he now perceived; but still he felt himself to be justified.  It was impossible that he should explain all this to his father.  One thing he certainly could not say,—­just at present.  After his folly with regard to those heavy debts he could not at once risk his father’s renewed anger by proposing to him an American daughter-in-law.  That must stand over, at any rate till the girl had accepted him positively.  ‘I am afraid it won’t come off, sir,’ he said at last.

‘Then I am to presume that you have changed your mind?’

‘I told you when we were speaking that I was not confident.’

‘She has not—­’

‘I can’t explain it all, sir,—­but I fear it won’t come off.’

Then the Duke, who had been sitting, got up from his chair and with his back to the fire made a final little speech.  ’We decided just now, Silverbridge, that nothing more should be said about that unpleasant racing business, and nothing more shall be said by me.  But you must not be surprised if I am anxious to see you settled in life.  No young man could be more bound by duty to marry early than you are.  In the first place you have to repair the injury done by my inaptitude for society.  You have explained to me that it is your duty to have the Barsetshire coverts properly shot, and I have acceded to your views.  Surely it must be equally your duty to see your Barsetshire neighbours.  And you are a young man every feature of whose character would be improved by matrimony.  As far as means are concerned you are almost as free to make arrangements as though you were already head of the family.’

‘No, sir.’

’I could never bring myself to dictate to a son in regard to his choice of a wife.  But I will own that when you told me that you had chosen I was much gratified.  Try and think again when you are pausing amidst your sacrifices at Gatherum, whether that be possible.  If it be not, still I would wish you to bear in mind what is my idea as to your duty.’  Silverbridge said that he would bear this in mind, and then escaped from the room.