He had heard it said of her,—­as he now well remembered, in his father’s presence,—­that she had behaved remarkably well in trying circumstances.  She had no fortune;—­everybody knew that; but then he did not want fortune.  Would not this be a good opportunity for breaking the matter to his father?  ’You have never thought of any one?’ asked the Duke,—­again very sweetly, very softly.

‘But I have!’ Lord Silverbridge as he made the announcement blushed up to the eyes.

Then there came over the father something almost of fear.  If he was to be told, how would it be if he could not approve?  ’Yes I have,’ said Silverbridge, recovering himself.  ’If you wish it, I will tell you who it is.’

’Nay, my boy;—­as to that consult your own feelings.  Are you sure of yourself?’

‘Oh, yes.’

‘Have you spoken to her?’

’Well;—­yes in part.  She has not accepted me, if you mean that.  Rather the contrary.’

Now the Duke would have been very unwilling to say that his son would certainly be accepted by any girl in England to whom he might choose to offer his hand.  But when the idea of a doubt was suggested to him, it did seem odd that his son should ask in vain.  What other young man was there who could offer so much, and who was at the same time so likely to be loved for his own sake?  He smiled however and was silent.  ’I suppose I may as well out with it,’ said Silverbridge.  ‘You know Lady Mabel Grex?’

‘Lady Mabel Grex.  Yes,—­I know her.’

‘Is there any objection?’

‘Is she not your senior?’

‘No, sir; she is younger than I am.’

‘Her father is not a man I esteem.’

‘But she has always been so good!’ Then the Duke was again silent.  ‘Have you not heard that, sir?’

‘I think I have.’

‘Is not that a great deal?’

’A very great deal.  To be good must of all qualities be the best.  She is very beautiful.’

‘I think so, sir.  Of course she has no money.’

’It is not needed.  It is not needed.  I have no objection to make.  If you are sure of your own mind—­’

‘I am quite sure of that, sir.’

’Then I will raise no objection.  Lady Mabel Grex!  Her father, I fear, is not a worthy man.  I hear that he is a gambler.’

‘He is so poor!’

’That makes it worse, Silverbridge.  A man who gambles because he has money that he can afford to lose is, to my thinking, a fool.  But he who gambles because he has none, is—­well, let us hope the best of him.  You may give her my love.’

‘She has not accepted me.’

‘But should she do so, you may.’

’She almost rejected me.  But I am not sure that she was in earnest, and I mean to try again.’  Just at that moment the door was opened and Major Tifto walked into the room.

CHAPTER 27

Major Tifto and the Duke