’I will not say that they are, but I do not know.  Having Anglican tendencies I have been wont to contradict my countrymen when they have told me of the narrow exclusiveness of your nobles.  Having found your nobles and your commoners all alike in their courtesy,—­ which is a cold word; in their hospitable friendships,—­I would now not only contradict, but would laugh to scorn any such charge,’—­so far he spoke somewhat loudly, and then dropped his voice as he concluded,—­’were it anything less than the happiness of my child that is in question.’

’What am I to say, sir?  I only know this; I am not going to lose her.’

’You are a fine fellow.  I was going to say that I wished you were an American, so that Isabel need not lose you.  But, my boy, I have told you that I do not know how it might be.  Of all whom you know, who could best tell me the truth on such a subject?  Who is there, whose age will have given him experience, whose rank will have made him familiar with this matter, who from friendship to you would be least likely to decide against your wishes, who from his own native honesty would be most likely to tell the truth?’

‘You mean my father,’ said Silverbridge.

’I do mean your father.  Happily he has taken no dislike to the girl herself.  I have seen enough of him to feel that he is devoted to his own children.’

‘Indeed he is.’

’A just and liberal man;—­one whom I should say not carried away by prejudices!  Well,—­my girl and I have just put our heads together, and we have come to a conclusion.  If the Duke of Omnium will tell us that she would be safe as your wife,—­safe from the contempt of those around her,—­you shall have her.  And I shall rejoice to give her to you,—­not because you are Lord Silverbridge, not because of your rank and wealth; but because you are—­that individual human being whom I now hold by the hand.’

CHAPTER 71

‘What am I to Say, Sir?’

When Silverbridge left Mr Boncassen’s house he was resolved to go to his father without an hour’s delay, and represent to the Duke exactly how the case stood.  He would be urgent, piteous, submissive, and eloquent.  In any other matter he would promise to make whatever arrangements his father might desire.  He would make his father understand that all his happiness depended on this marriage.  When once married he would settle down, even at Gatherum Castle if the Duke should wish it.  He would not think of racehorses, he would desert the Beargarden, he would learn blue-books by heart, and only do as much shooting and hunting as would become a young nobleman in his position.  All this he would say as eagerly and as pleasantly as it might be said.  But he would add to all this an assurance of his unchangeable intention.  It was his purpose to marry Isabel Boncassen.  If he could do this with his father’s good will,—­so best.  But at any rate he would marry her!