“No, I won’t!” exclaimed the banker, cutting short the young gentleman’s acknowledgements.  “Excuse me now half a minute, I want to write a line,” he added, as he hastily scribbled off a note.

A footman entered in answer to the bell.

“Take this to the office of the Messrs. Prye, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, and wait an answer,” said Sir Lemuel, handing the folded note to the man, who bowed and retired.

“Prye must meet us here to-morrow morning to see to the marriage settlements.  And I must see to Prye!  Even lawyers may be hurried if they be well paid for making haste!” concluded the banker, rubbing his hands.  “But now go and find Salome, and tell her it is all right!  She has not got a stern father to ruffle the course of her true love, but a spooney old fellow who spreads out his hands over your heads and says:  ’Bul-less you, my chee-ild-der-en!’”

Lord Arondelle smiled at the dry banker’s imitation of the heavy stage-father, but made no comment.

“Yes, go see Salome; and then go to the duke, your father, and acquaint him with the result of your proposal.  I take it for granted that you had his grace’s authority for making it.”

“I had, sir.  He told me to be guided by my own judgment.”

“Well tell him all about the settlements as I have told them to you.  Agree to any amendment he may propose, for I will make it all right.”

“That is allowing a very large margin, indeed.  I thank you, Sir Lemuel; but I must reflect before taking advantage of it.”

“Well, well; perhaps the duke will meet my solicitor here to-morrow morning in regard to the settlements.  I consider the fact that he has steadily declined every invitation I have sent him to come to us on any occasion.  Still, I hope he may be induced to honor us with his presence to-morrow in the interest of these marriage settlements, and to remain and dine with us in honor of this betrothal,” said the banker.

“I hope you will kindly continue to excuse my father, sir.  His age, his infirmities, his failing mind and body, will, I trust, be his sufficient apologies,” said the young marquis gravely.

“You think that he will not come, then!”

“I fear that he cannot.”

“I’m sorry for that.  However, tell him all that I have told you, and agree to any alterations in the settlements that he may see fit to suggest.  There!  Go to Salome!  Go to Salome!  I must be off to the House,” said the conscientious M.P. rising, and putting an end to the interview.

It was subsequently arranged that the marriage should be celebrated at
Castle Lone on that day three weeks.

Two weeks out of the three, Sir Lemuel Levison remained in town to give his daughter and her chaperon an opportunity of getting up as good a trousseau as could be prepared in so short a time.  But jewellers, milliners, and dressmakers may be hurried as well as lawyers, when they are well paid to make haste.  And so, in two weeks, the banker’s heiress, the future Marchioness of Arondelle and Duchess of Hereward, had a trousseau as magnificent and splendid as if it had been in preparation for two years.  When it was all carefully packed and sent down to Lone, Sir Lemuel Levison and his household prepared to follow.