“Pshaw! you are a silly boy,” replied the Earl:  “there is nothing so tiresome to a man of experience as the false generosity with which young men set out in the world.  Here, when you have the opportunity in your power of inducing the Duke easily to give his consent to that which is most for his own interests, for yours, and for everybody’s, you would let it slip, remain miserable yourself, and see Laura made miserable too, from the mere idle fancy of not taking advantage of misfortunes which the Duke has brought upon himself; but I will consent to no such idle folly, Wilton.  I am determined to take care of your interests, if you do not take care of them for yourself, and I have a right to do so, as I believe I am your nearest living relation.  And now, my good youth, mark my words, and remember that I am one who will keep them to the letter.  The Duke, I know, has so far committed himself as to be really criminal.  How far his crime may be aggravated I do not know.  If he have brought his own head to the block I cannot help it, and then all matters will be clear, for Lady Laura will be free to do as she pleases; but as his pardon for the offences he has really committed must pass through my hands, if it should be found that his errors are not of a very deep dye, I give you fair warning, that he shall not set his foot beyond the doors of the Tower till Lady Laura is your bride.  Say not a word, for my determination is taken, and he shall find me somewhat firmer in my purpose than he has shown himself towards you.”

“I suppose your lordship means,” replied Wilton, “till he has given his consent to the marriage.  The Duke is too honourable a man to revoke it when once it is granted.”

“No, by Heaven!” answered Lord Byerdale:  “she shall be yours, fully, irrevocably your wife, ere he sets his foot forth.  There are such things, I tell you, Wilton, as quarrels about marriage-settlements.  I will have none of that.  I will be a better friend to you than you would be to yourself.  However, on second thoughts, say nothing about it to the Duke.  I will take it all upon myself, which will spare you pain.  You shall see that the proposal will come from the Duke himself.”

Wilton smiled; and we cannot think that he was much to blame if there was some pleasure mingled in his feelings at the thought of soon and easily obtaining her he loved, even though he experienced repugnance to the means which the Earl proposed to employ.  He resolved, therefore, to let the matter take its course, feeling very sure that the result of the Duke’s present situation would be much affected, and his liberation greatly facilitated, by suffering the Earl to manage the matter in his own way.