t. She would have become a lady
of high rank,--not because she loves rank, but because she loves
you."

"Yes, yes, yes," said Silverbridge, hardly himself knowing why he
became impetuous.

"But having removed herself into that position, being as she would
be, a Countess, or a Duchess, or what not, how could she be happy if
she were excluded from the community of Countesses and Duchesses?"

"They are not like that," said Silverbridge.

"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 sure 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 sure that he is devoted to
his own children."

"Indeed he is."

"A just and a liberal man;--one 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."

When the American had come to an end, Silverbridge was too much moved
to make any immediate answer. He had an idea in his own mind that
the appeal wa