Not at all! No one less so!" As she said this she could not hinder
the colour from coming into her face. "I was her friend,--Lady
Glencora's; but with the death of my friend there was an end of all
that."

"You were staying with him,--at his request. You told me so
yourself."

"I shall never stay with him again. But all that, Mr. Tregear, is
of no matter. I do not mean to say a word against him;--not a word.
But if you wish to interest any one as being the Duke's friend, then
I can assure you I am the last person in London to whom you should
come. I know no one to whom the Duke is likely to entertain feelings
so little kind as towards me." This she said in a peculiarly solemn
way that startled Tregear. But before he could answer her a servant
entered the room with a letter. She recognised at once the Duke's
handwriting. Here was the answer for which she had been so long
waiting in silent expectation! She could not keep it unread till he
was gone. "Will you allow me a moment?" she whispered, and then she
opened the envelope. As she read the few words her eyes became laden
with tears. They quite sufficed to relieve the injured pride which
had sat so heavy at her heart. "I believe I did you a wrong, and
therefore I ask your pardon!" It was so like what she had believed
the man to be! She could not be longer angry with him. And yet the
very last words she had spoken were words complaining of his conduct.
"This is from the Duke," she said, putting the letter back into its
envelope.

"Oh, indeed."

"It is odd that it should have come while you were here."

"Is it,--is it,--about Lady Mary?"

"No;--at least,--not directly. I perhaps spoke more harshly about him
than I should have done. The truth is I had expected a line from him,
and it had not come. Now it is here; but I do not suppose I shall
ever see much of him. My intimacy was with her. But I would not wish
you to remember what I said just now, if--if--"

"If what, Mrs. Finn? You mean, perhaps, if I should ever be allowed
to call myself his son-in-law. It may seem to you to be arrogant, but
it is an honour which I expect to win."

"Faint heart,--you know, Mr. Tregear."

"Exactly. One has to tell oneself that very often. You will help me?"

"Certainly not," she said, as though she were much startled. "How can
I help you?"

"By telling me what I should do. I suppose if I were to go down to
Richmond I should not be admitted."

"If you ask me, I think not;--n