lt that she had acted well and wisely.
He therefore determined that he would go to Mrs. Finn.

She had as yet received no answer from the Duke, though nearly a
fortnight had elapsed since she had written her letter. During that
time she had become very angry. She felt that he was not treating her
as a gentleman should treat a lady, and certainly not as the husband
of her late friend should have treated the friend of his late
wife. She had a proud consciousness of having behaved well to the
Pallisers, and now this head of the Pallisers was rewarding her by
evil treatment. She had been generous; he was ungenerous. She had
been honest; he was deficient even in that honesty for which she
had given him credit. And she had been unable to obtain any of that
consolation which could have come to her from talking of her wrongs.
She could not complain to her husband, because there were reasons
that made it essential that her husband should not quarrel with
the Duke. She was hot with indignation at the very moment in which
Tregear was announced.

He began by apologising for his intrusion, and she of course assured
him that he was welcome. "After the liberty which I took with you,
Mr. Tregear, I am only too well pleased that you should come to see
me."

"I am afraid," he said, "that I was a little rough."

"A little warm;--but that was to be expected. A gentleman never likes
to be interfered with on such a matter."

"The position was and is difficult, Mrs. Finn."

"And I am bound to acknowledge the very ready way in which you did
what I asked you to do."

"And now, Mrs. Finn, what is to come next?"

"Ah!"

"Something must be done! You know of course that the Duke did not
receive me with any great favour."

"I did not suppose he would."

"Nor did I. Of course he would object to such a marriage. But a man
in these days cannot dictate to his daughter what husband she should
marry."

"Perhaps he can dictate to her what husband she shall not marry."

"Hardly that. He may put impediments in the way; and the Duke will
do so. But if I am happy enough to have won the affections of his
daughter,--so as to make it essential to her happiness that she
should become my wife,--he will give way."

"What am I to say, Mr. Tregear?"

"Just what you think."

"Why should I be made to say what I think on so delicate a matter? Or
of what use would be my thoughts? Remember how far I am removed from
her."

"You are his friend."

"