ecause one of those inward
plaints would force itself from his lips! Of course this girl was
to be taken in among the Pallisers and treated with an idolatrous
love,--as perfect as though "all the blood of all the Howards" were
running in her veins. What further inch of ground was there for a
fight? And if the fight were over, why should he rob his boy of
one sparkle from off the joy of his triumph? Silverbridge was now
standing before him abashed by that plaint, inwardly sustained no
doubt by the conviction of his great success, but subdued by his
father's wailing. "However,--perhaps we had better let that pass,"
said the Duke, with a long sigh. Then Silverbridge took his father's
hand, and looked up in his face. "I most sincerely hope that she may
make you a good and loving wife," said the Duke, "and that she may do
her duty by you in that not easy sphere of life to which she will be
called."

"I am quite sure she will," said Silverbridge, whose ideas as to
Isabel's duties were confined at present to a feeling that she would
now have to give him kisses without stint.

"What I have seen of her personally recommends her to me," said the
Duke. "Some girls are fools--"

"That's quite true, sir."

"Who think that the world is to be nothing but dancing, and going to
parties."

"Many have been doing it for so many years," said Silverbridge, "that
they can't understand that there should be an end of it."

"A wife ought to feel the great responsibility of her position. I
hope she will."

"And the sooner she begins the better," said Silverbridge stoutly.

"And now," said the Duke, looking at his watch, "we might as well
have lunch and go down to the House. I will walk with you if you
please. It will be about time for each of us." Then the son was
forced to go down and witness the somewhat faded ceremony of seeing
Parliament opened by three Lords sitting in commission before the
throne. Whereas but for such stress as his father had laid upon him,
he would have disregarded his parliamentary duties and have rushed
at once up to Brook Street. As it was he was so handed over from one
political pundit to another, was so buttonholed by Sir Timothy, so
chaffed as to the address by Phineas Finn, and at last so occupied
with the whole matter that he was compelled to sit in his place till
he had heard Nidderdale make his speech. This the young Scotch Lord
did so well, and received so much praise for the doing of it, and
looked