‘Why did you twit me with changing my love?’

‘Because I am a woman.  Can’t you forgive as much as that to me?’

’Certainly.  Only you must not think that I have been false because I now love so dearly.’

’I do not think you are false.  I would do anything to help you if there were anything I could do.  But when you spoke so like a Romeo of your love,—­’

‘Why not like a Romeo, if I feel like a Romeo?’

’But I doubt whether Romeo talked much to Rosaline of his love for Juliet.  But you shall talk to me of yours for Lady Mary, and I will listen to you patiently and encourage you, and will not even think of those former vows.’

‘The former vows were foolish.’

‘Oh—­of course.’

‘You at least used to say so.’

’I say so now, and they shall be as though they had never been spoken.  So you bearded the Duke in his den, and asked him for Lady Mary’s hand,—­just as though you had been a young Duke yourself and owned half a county?’

‘Just the same.’

‘And what did he say?’

’He swore that it was impossible.-Of course I knew all that before.’

‘How will it be now?  You will not give it up?’

‘Certainly not.’

‘And Lady Mary?’

’One human being can perhaps never answer for another with perfect security.’

‘But you feel sure of her.’

‘I do.’

‘He, I should think, be very imperious.’

‘And so can she.  The Pallisers are all obstinate.’

‘Is Silverbridge obstinate?’ she asked.

‘Stiff-necked as a bull if he takes it into his head to be so.’

‘I shouldn’t have thought it.’

’No;—­because he is so soft in his manner, and often finds it easier to be led by others than to direct himself.’

Then she remained silent for a few seconds.  They were both thinking of the same thing, and both wishing to speak of it.  But the words came to her first.  ‘I wonder what he thinks of me.’  Whereupon Tregear only smiled.  ’I suppose he has spoken to you about me?’

‘Why do you ask?’

‘Why?’

’And why should I tell you?  Suppose he should have said to me in the confidence of friendship that he thinks you ugly and stupid.’

’I am sure he has not said that.  He has eyes to see and ears to hear.  But, though I am neither ugly nor stupid, he needn’t like me.’

‘Do you want him to like you?’

’Yes, I do.  Oh yes; you may laugh; but if I did not think that I could be a good wife to him I would not take his hand even to become the Duchess of Omnium.’

‘Do you mean that you love him, Mabel?’

’No; I do not mean that.  But I would learn to love him.  You do not believe that?’ Here he again smiled and shook his head.  ’It is as I said before, because you are not a woman, and do not understand how woman are trammelled.  Do you think ill of me because I say this?’