The young suitor felt very uncomfortable.  He was not at all used to such an old ruffian as this.  He did not know how to talk with him—­what to reply to his rude consent to the proposal of marriage.  At length his compassion, no less than his love for Cora, inspired him to say: 

“Thank you, Mr. Rockharrt.  I will take the lady, if she will do me the honor to trust her happiness to my keeping.”

“More fool you!  But that is your look-out,” grunted the old man.

The next morning when they met at breakfast Mr. Rockharrt invited his guest to accompany him to North End to inspect the iron mines and foundries, the locomotive works and all the rest of it.

The duke had no choice but to accept the invitation.

The two gentlemen left directly after breakfast, and Cora rejoiced in the respite of one whole day from the society of the unwelcome guest.

She saw the house set in order, gave directions for the dinner, and then retired to her own private sitting room to resume her labor of love, the life of her lost husband.

Earlier than usual that afternoon the Iron King returned home accompanied by their guest and by Mr. Clarence, who had come with them in honor of the duke.  The evening was spent in a rubber of whist, in which Mr. Rockharrt and the duke, who were partners, were the winners over Cora and Mr. Clarence, their antagonists.  The evening was finished at the usual hour with champagne and sago biscuits.

The next morning, when Mr. Rockharrt and Mr. Clarence were about to leave the house for the carriage to take them to North End, the Iron King turned abruptly and said to his granddaughter: 

“By the way, Cora, Fabian and Violet are coming to dinner this evening to meet the duke.  It will be a mere family affair upon a family occasion, eh, duke!  A very quiet little dinner among ourselves.  No other guests!  Good morning.”

And so saying the old man left the house, accompanied by his son.

Cora returned to the drawing room, where she had left the duke.  He arose immediately and placed a chair for her; but she waved her hand in refusal of it, and standing, said very politely: 

“You will find the magazines of the month and the newspapers of the day on the table of the library on the opposite side of the hall, if you feel disposed to look over them.”

“The papers of to-day!  How is it possible you are so fortunate as to get the papers of to-day at so early an hour, at so remote a point?” inquired the duke, probably only to hold her in conversation.

“Mr. Clarence Rockharrt’s servant takes them from the earliest mail and starts with them for Rockhold.  Mr. Rockharrt usually reads the morning papers here before his breakfast.”

“A wonderful conquest over time and space are our modern locomotives,” observed the duke.

Cora assented, and then said: 

“Pray use the full freedom of the house and grounds; of the servants also, and the horses and carriages.  Mr. Rockharrt places them all at your disposal.  But please excuse me, for I have an engagement which will occupy me nearly all day.”