‘Well, my dear,’ said Mrs Boncassen, as they took their leave, ’it is a very grand house, and I hope with all my heart you may have your health there and be happy.  But I don’t know that you’ll be any happier because it’s so big.’

‘Wait till you see Gatherum,’ said Silverbridge.  ’That, I own, does make me unhappy.  It has been calculated that three months at Gatherum Castle would drive a philosopher mad.’

In all this there had been a certain amount of disappointment for Silverbridge; but on that evening, before dinner in Brook Street, he received compensation.  As the day was one somewhat peculiar in its nature he decided that it should be kept together as a holiday, and he did not therefore go down to the House.  And not going to the House of course he spent the time with the Boncassens.  ‘You know you ought to go,’ Isabel said to him when the found themselves alone together in the back drawing-room.

‘Of course I ought.’

‘Then go.  Do you think I would keep a Briton from his duties?’

’Not though the constitution should fall in ruins.  Do you suppose that a man wants no rest after inspecting all the pots and pans in that establishment?  A woman, I believe, could go on doing that kind of thing all day long.’

’You should remember at least that the—­woman was interesting herself about your pots and pans.’

‘And now, Bella, tell me what the governor said to you.’  Then she showed him the ring.  ‘Did he give you that?’ She nodded her head in assent.  ‘I did not think he would ever part with that.’

‘It was your mother’s.’

’She wore it always.  I almost think that I never saw her hand without it.  He would not have given you that unless he had meant to be very good to you.’

’He was very good to me, Silverbridge, I have a great deal to do, to learn to be your wife.’

‘I’ll teach you.’

’Yes; you will teach me.  But will you teach me right?  There is something almost awful in your father’s serious dignity and solemn appreciation of the responsibilities of his position.  Will you ever come to that?’

‘I shall never be a great man as he is.’

’It seem to me that life to him is a load;—­which he does not object to carry, but which he knows must be carried with a great struggle.’

‘I suppose it ought to be so with everyone.’

‘Yes,’ she said, ’but the higher you put your foot on the ladder the more constant should be your thought that your stepping requires care.  I fear that I am climbing too high.’

‘You can’t come down now, young woman.’

’I have to go on now,—­and do the best I can.  I will try to do my best.  I will try to do my best.  I told him so, and now I tell you so.  I will try to do my best.’

‘Perhaps after all I am only a “pert poppet",’ she said half an hour afterwards, for Silverbridge had told her of the terrible mistake made by poor Dolly Longstaff.