She had as yet received no answer from the Duke, though nearly a fortnight had elapsed since she had written her letter.  During that time she had become very angry.  She felt that he was not treating her as a gentleman should treat a lady, and certainly not as the husband of her late friend should have treated the friend of his late wife.  She had a proud consciousness of having behaved well to the Pallisers, and now this head of the Pallisers was rewarding her by evil treatment.  She had been generous; he was ungenerous.  She had been honest; he was deficient even in that honesty for which she had given him credit.  And she had been unable to obtain any of that consolation which could have come to her from talking of her wrongs.  She could not complain to her husband because there were reasons that made it essential that her husband should not quarrel with the Duke.  She was hot with indignation at the very moment that Tregear was announced.

He began by apologising for his intrusion, and she of course assured him that he was welcome.  ’After the liberty which I took with you, Mr Tregear, I am only too well pleased that you should come to see me.’

‘I am afraid,’ he said, ‘that I was a little rough.’

’A little warm;—­but that was to be expected.  A gentleman never likes to be interfered with on such a matter.’

‘The position was and is difficult, Mrs Finn.’

’And I am bound to acknowledge the very ready way in which you did what I asked you to do.’

‘And now, Mrs Finn, what is to come next?’

‘Ah!’

’Something must be done!  You know of course that the Duke did not receive me with any great favour.’

‘I did not suppose he would.’

’Nor did I. Of course he would object to such a marriage.  But a man in these days cannot dictate to his daughter what husband she should marry.’

‘Perhaps he can dictate to her what husband she shall not marry.’

’Hardly that.  He may put impediments in the way; and the Duke will do so.  But if I am happy enough to have won the affection of his daughter,—­so as to make it essential to her happiness that she should become my wife,—­he will give way.’

‘What am I to say, Mr Tregear?’

‘Just what you think.’

’Why should I be made to say what I think on so delicate a matter? 
 Or of what use would by my thoughts?  Remember how far I am
removed from her.’

‘You are his friend.’

‘Not at all!  No one less so!’ As she said this she could not hinder the colour from coming into her face.  ’I was her friend,—­ lady Glencora’s; but with the death of my friend there was an end of all that.’

’You were staying with him,—­at his request.  You told me so yourself.’