’Very well, Mr Stanbury.  I have listened to you, and in a certain degree I admire your your your zeal and ingenuity, shall I say.’

’I didn’t mean to call for admiration, Sir Marmaduke; but suppose you say good sense and discrimination.’

’Let that pass.  You must permit me to remark that your position is not such as to justify me in trusting my daughter to your care.  As my mind on that matter is quite made up, as is that also of Lady Rowley, I must ask you to give me your promise that your suit to my daughter shall be discontinued.’

‘What does she say about it, Sir Marmaduke?’

‘What she has said to me has been for my ears, and not for yours.’

’What I say is for her ears and for yours, and for her mother’s ears, and for the ears of any who may choose to hear it.  I will never give up my suit to your daughter till I am forced to do so, by a full conviction given me up.  It is best to be plain, Sir Marmaduke, of course.’

‘I do not understand this, Mr Stanbury.’

‘I mean to be quite clear.’

’I have always thought that when a gentleman was told by the head of a family that he could not be made welcome in that family, it was considered to be the duty of that gentleman, as a gentleman, to abandon his vain pursuit.  I have been brought up with that idea.’

’And I, Sir Marmaduke, have been brought up in the idea that when a man has won the affections of a woman, it is the duty of that man, as a man, to stick to her through thick and thin; and I mean to do my duty, according to my idea.’

’Then, sir, I have nothing further to say, but to take my leave.  I must only caution you not to enter my doors.’  As the passages were dark and intricate, it was necessary that Stanbury should shew Sir Marmaduke out, and this he did in silence.  When they parted each of them lifted his hat, and not a word more was said.

That same night there was a note put into Nora’s hands as she was following her mother out of one of the theatres.  In the confusion she did not even see the messenger who had handed it to her.  Her sister Lucy saw that she had taken the note, and questioned her about it afterwards with discretion, however, and in privacy.  This was the note: 

’Dearest Love,

I have seen your father, who is stern after the manner of fathers.  What granite equals a parent’s flinty bosom!  For myself, I do not prefer clandestine arrangements and rope-ladders; and you, dear, have nothing of the Lydia about you.  But I do like my own way, and like it especially when you are at the end of the path.  It is quite out of the question that you should go back to those islands.  I think I am justified in already assuming enough of the husband to declare that such going back must not be held for a moment in question.  My proposition is that you should authorise me to make such arrangements as may be needed, in regard to licence, banns, or whatever else, and that you should then simply walk from the house to the church and marry me.  You are of age, and can do as you please.  Neither your father nor mother can have any right to stop you.  I do not doubt but that your mother would accompany you, if she were fully satisfied of your purpose.  Write to me to the D. R.