‘You will not be long gone, I suppose?’

‘Only for three of four days now.’

‘I shall not mind, papa.’

’But very probably I may have to go to Barsetshire.  Would you not be happier if you would let me write to Lady Cantrip, and tell her that you will go to her?’

’No, papa, I think not.  There are times when one feels that one ought to be almost alone.  Don’t you feel that?’

’I do not wish you to feel it, nor would you do so long if you had other people round you.  With me it is different.  I am an old man, and cannot look for new pleasures in society.  It has been the fault of my life to be too much alone.  I do not want to see my children follow me in that.’

‘It is so very short time as yet,’ said she, thinking of her mother’s death.

’But I think that you should be with somebody,—­with some woman who would be kind to you.  I like to see you with books, but books alone should not be sufficient at your age.’  How little, she thought, did he know of the state either of her heart or mind!  ‘Do you dislike Lady Cantrip?’

’I do not know her.  I can’t say that I dislike a person whom I don’t think I ever spoke to, and never saw above once or twice.  But how can I say that I like her?’ She did, however, know that Lady Cantrip was a countess all over, and would be shocked at the idea of a daughter of a Duke of Omnium marrying the younger son of a country squire.  Nothing further was then said on the matter, and when the Duke went to town, Lady Mary was left quite alone, with an understanding that if he went into Barsetshire he should come back and take her with him.

He arrived at his own house in Carlton Terrace about five o’clock in the afternoon, and immediately went to his study, intending to dine and spend the evening there alone.  His son had already pleaded an engagement for that afternoon, but had consented to devote the following morning to his father’s wishes.  Of the other sojourner in his house the Duke had thought nothing; but the other sojourner had thought very much of the Duke.  Frank Tregear was fully possessed of that courage which induces a man who knows that he must be thrown over a precipice, to choose the first possible moment for his fall.  He had sounded Silverbridge about the change in his politics, and had found his friend quite determined not to go back to the family doctrine.  Such being the case, the Duke’s ill-will and hardness and general severity would probably be enhanced by his interview with his son.  Tregear, therefore, thinking that nothing could be got by delay, sent his name in to the Duke before he had been an hour in the house, and asked for an interview.  The servant brought back word that his Grace was fatigued, but would see Mr Tregear if the matter in question was one of importance.  Frank’s heart quailed for a moment, but only for a moment.  He took up a pen and wrote a note.

’My dear duke of Omnium,
’If your Grace can spare a moment, I think you
will find that what I have to say will justify the
intrusion. 
’Your very faithful servant,
F.O.Tregear’