The glass of wine was drunk and the ceremony afforded infinite satisfaction to one person there. Mary could not keep herself from some expression of joy by pressing her finger for a moment against her lover’s arm. He, though not usually given to such manifestations, blushed up to his eyes. But the feeling produced on the company was solemn rather than jovial. Everyone there understood it all. Mr Boncassen could read the Duke’s mind down to the last line. Even Mrs Boncassen was aware that an act of reconciliation had been intended. ’When the governor drank that glass of wine it seemed as though half the marriage ceremony had been performed,’ Gerald said to his brother that evening. When the Duke’s glass was replaced on the table, he himself was conscious of the solemnity of what he had done, and was half ashamed of it.
When the ladies had gone upstairs the conversation became political and lively. The Duke could talk freely about the state of things to Mr Boncassen, and was able gradually to include Tregear in the badinage with which he attacked the conservatism of his son. And so the half hour passed well. Upstairs the two girls immediately came together, leaving Mrs Boncassen to chew the cud of the grandeur around her in the sleepy comfort of an arm-chair. ‘And so everything is settled for both of us,’ said Isabel.
’Of course I knew it was to be settled for you. You told me so at Custins.’
’I did not know it then. I only told you that he had asked me. And you hardly believed me.’
‘I certainly believed you.’
‘But you knew about—Lady Mabel Grex.’
’I only suspected something, and now I know it was a mistake. It has never been more than a suspicion.’
’And why, when we were at Custins, did you not tell me about yourself?’
‘I had nothing to tell.’
’I can understand that. But is it not joyful that it should all be settled? Only poor Lady Mabel! You have got no Lady Mabel to trouble your conscience.’ From which it was evident that Silverbridge had not told all.