s not altogether fair. His father was a just man,--just,
affectionate, and liberal. But then it will so often happen that
fathers do not want their sons to marry those very girls on whom the
sons have set their hearts. He could only say that he would speak
to his father again on the subject. "Let him tell me that he is
contented," said Mr. Boncassen, "and I will tell him that I am
contented. Now, my friend, good-bye." Silverbridge begged that he
might be allowed to see Isabel before he was turned out; but Isabel
had left the house in company with her mother.

CHAPTER LXXI

"What Am I to Say, Sir?"

When Silverbridge left Mr. Boncassen's house he was resolved to go to
his father without an hour's delay, and represent to the Duke exactly
how the case stood. He would be urgent, piteous, submissive, and
eloquent. In any other matter he would promise to make whatever
arrangements his father might desire. He would make his father
understand that all his happiness depended on this marriage. When
once married he would settle down, even at Gatherum Castle if the
Duke should wish it. He would not think of race-horses, he would
desert the Beargarden, he would learn blue-books by heart, and only
do as much shooting and hunting as would become a young nobleman in
his position. All this he would say as eagerly and as pleasantly as
it might be said. But he would add to all this an assurance of his
unchangeable intention. It was his purpose to marry Isabel Boncassen.
If he could do this with his father's good will,--so best. But at any
rate he would marry her!

The world at this time was altogether busy with political rumours;
and it was supposed that Sir Timothy Beeswax would do something very
clever. It was supposed also that he would sever himself from some
of his present companions. On that point everybody was agreed,--and
on that point only everybody was right. Lord Drummond, who was the
titular Prime Minister, and Sir Timothy, had, during a considerable
part of the last Session, and through the whole vacation, so belarded
each other with praise in all their public expressions that it was
quite manifest that they had quarrelled. When any body of statesmen
make public asseverations by one or various voices, that there is no
discord among them, not a dissentient voice on any subject, people
are apt to suppose that they cannot hang together much longer. It is
the man who has no peace at home that declares abroad that his