’He asked me what were my ideas about life in general.  I said that I thought Parliament was a good sort of thing, that I was lucky enough to have a seat, and that I should take lodgings somewhere near Westminster till-"Till what?” he asked.  Till something is settled I replied.  Then he turned away from me and remained silent.  May I see Lady Mary?  I asked.  “Yes; you may see her,” he replied, as he rang the bell.  Then when the servant was gone he stopped me.  “I love her too dearly to see her grieve,” he said.  “I hope you will show that you can be worthy of her.”  Then I made some sort of protestation and went upstairs.  While I was with Mary there came a message to me, telling me to come to dinner.’

‘The Boncassens are all dining there.’

’Then we shall be a family party.  So far I suppose I may say it is settled.  When he will let us marry heaven only knows.  Mary declares that she will not press him.  I certainly cannot do so.  It is all a matter of money.’

‘He won’t care about that.’

’But he may perhaps think that a little patience will do us good.  You will have to soften him.’  Then Silverbridge told all he knew about himself.  He was to be married in May; was to go to Matching for a week or two after his wedding, was then to see the Session to an end, and after that to travel with his wife to the United States.  ’I don’t suppose we shall be allowed to run about the world together so soon as that,’ said Tregear, ’but I am too well satisfied with my day’s work to complain.’

‘Did he say what he meant to give her?’

’Oh dear no;—­nor even that he meant to give her anything.  I should not dream of asking a question about it.  Nor when he makes any proposition shall I think of having any opinion of my own.’

‘He’ll make it all right;—­for her sake you know.’

’My chief object as regards him, is that he should not think I have been looking for her money.  Well; good-bye.  I suppose we shall all meet at dinner?’

When Tregear left him Silverbridge went to his father’s room.  He was anxious that they should understand each other as to Mary’s engagement.  ‘I thought you were at the House,’ said the Duke.

’I was going there, but I met Tregear at the door.  He tells me you have accepted him for Mary.’

’I wish that he had never seen her.  Do you think that a man can be thwarted in everything and not feel it?’

‘I thought—­you had reconciled yourself—­to Isabel.’

’If it were that alone I could do so the more easily, because personally she wins upon me.  And this man too;—­it is not that I find fault with himself.’

‘He is in all respects a high-minded gentleman.’

’I hope so.  But yet, had he a right to set his heart there, where he could make his fortune,—­having none of his own?’

‘He did not think of it.’

’A gentleman should do more than not think of it.  He should think that it shall not be so. a man should own his means or should earn them.’