‘Grex was a palace,’ said the Duke, ’before a wall of this house had been built.’

’Grex is very old and very wild,—­and very uncomfortable.  But I love it dearly.  Matching is the very reverse of Grex.’

‘Not I hope in your affections.’

’I did not mean that.  I think one likes a contrast.  But I must go, say on the first of January, to pick up Miss Cassewary.’

It was certain, therefore, that she was going on the first of January.  How would it be if he put off the telling of his story for yet another week, till she should be gone?  Then he looked around and bethought himself that the time would hang very heavy with him.  And his father would daily expect from him a declaration exactly opposed to that which he had to make.  He had no horses to ride.  As he went on listening he almost convinced himself that the proper thing to do would be to go back to London and thence write to his father.  He made no confession to his father on that night.

On the next morning there was a heavy fall of snow, but nevertheless everybody managed to go to church.  The Duke, as he looked at Lady Mabel tripping along the swept paths in her furs and short petticoats and well-made boots, thought that his son was a lucky fellow to have the chance of winning the love of such a girl.  No remembrance of Miss Boncassen came across his mind as he saw them close together.  It was so important that Silverbridge should marry and thus he kept from further follies!  And it was so momentous to the fortunes of the Palliser family generally that he should marry well!  In thinking so it did not occur to him that the granddaughter of an American labourer might be offered to him.  A young lady fit to be the Duchess of Omnium was not to be found everywhere.  But this girl, he thought as he saw her walking briskly and strongly through the snow, with every mark of health about her, with every sign of high breeding, very beautiful, exquisite in manner, gracious as a goddess, was fit to be a Duchess!  Silverbridge at this moment was walking close to her side,—­in good looks, in gracious manner, in high breeding her equal,—­in worldly gifts infinitely her superior.  Surely she would not despise him!  Silverbridge at the moment was expressing a hope that the sermon would not be very long.

After lunch Mabel came suddenly behind the chair on which Silverbridge was sitting and asked him to take a walk with her.  Was she not afraid of the snow?  ‘Perhaps you are,’ she said laughing.  ‘I do not mind it in the least.’  When they were but a few yards from the front door, she put her hand upon his arm, and spoke to him as though she had arranged the walk with reference to that special question.  ‘And now tell me all about Frank.’

She had arranged everything.  She had a plan before her now, and had determined in accordance with that plan she would say nothing to disturb him on this occasion.  If she could succeed in bringing him into good humour with herself, that should be sufficient for today.  ‘Now tell me everything about Frank.’