“It was a kick on the head, Lord Augustus.”

“I don’t care where he was kicked.  What has that to do with your asking my daughter to be your wife?”

“But I didn’t”

“I say you did,—­over and over again.”  Here Lord Augustus got out of his chair, and made a little attempt to reach the recreant lover;—­but he failed and fell back again into his armchair.  “It was first at Rufford, and then you made an appointment to meet her at Mistletoe.  How do you explain that?”

“Miss Trefoil is very fond of hunting.”

“I don’t believe she ever went out hunting in her life before she saw you.  You mounted her,—­and gave her a horse,—­and took her out,—­and brought her home.  Everybody at Mistletoe knew all about it.  My brother and the Duchess were told of it.  It was one of those things that are plain to everybody as the nose on your face.  What did you say to her when you were coming home in that post chaise?”

“She was fainting.”

“What has that to do with it?  I don’t care whether she fainted or not.  I don’t believe she fainted at all.  When she got into that carriage she was engaged to you, and when she got out of it she was engaged ever so much more.  The Duchess knew all about it.  Now what have you got to say?” Lord Rufford felt that he had nothing to say.  “I insist upon having an answer.”

“It’s one of the most unfortunate mistakes that ever were made.”

“By G—!” exclaimed Lord Augustus, turning his eyes up against the wall, and appealing to some dark ancestor who hung there.  “I never heard of such a thing in all my life; never!”

“I suppose I might as well go now,” said Lord Rufford after a pause.

“You may go to the D—­, Sir,—­for the present” Then Lord Rufford took his departure leaving the injured parent panting with his exertions.  As Lord Rufford went away he felt that that difficulty had been overcome with much more ease than he had expected.  He hardly knew what it was that he had dreaded, but he had feared something much worse than that.  Had an appeal been made to his affections he would hardly have known how to answer.  He remembered well that he had assured the lady that he loved her, and had a direct question been asked him on that subject he would not have lied.  He must have confessed that such a declaration had been made by him.  But he had escaped that.  He was quite sure that he had never uttered a hint in regard to marriage, and he came away from the Duke’s house almost with an assurance that he had done nothing that was worthy of much blame.

Lord Augustus looked at his watch, rang the bell, and ordered a cab.  He must now go and see his daughter, and then he would have done with the matter—­for ever.  But as he was passing through the hall his nephew caught hold of him and took him back into the room.  “What does he say for himself?” asked Lord Mistletoe.

“I don’t know what he says.  Of course he swears that he never spoke a word to her.”