in which he was suspected, and by a consent on the part of the
meeting to receive the Major's instant resignation.

CHAPTER L

The Duke's Arguments

The Duke before he left Custins had an interview with Lady Cantrip,
at which that lady found herself called upon to speak her mind
freely. "I don't think she cares about Lord Popplecourt," Lady
Cantrip said.

"I am sure I don't know why she should," said the Duke, who was often
very aggravating even to his friend.

"But as we had thought--"

"She ought to do as she is told," said the Duke, remembering how
obedient his Glencora had been. "Has he spoken to her?"

"I think not."

"Then how can we tell?"

"I asked her to see him, but she expressed so much dislike that I
could not press it. I am afraid, Duke, that you will find it
difficult to deal with her."

"I have found it very difficult!"

"As you have trusted me so much--"

"Yes;--I have trusted you, and do trust you. I hope you understand
that I appreciate your kindness."

"Perhaps then you will let me say what I think."

"Certainly, Lady Cantrip."

"Mary is a very peculiar girl,--with great gifts,--but--"

"But what?"

"She is obstinate. Perhaps it would be fairer to say that she has
great firmness of character. It is within your power to separate her
from Mr. Tregear. It would be foreign to her character to--to--leave
you, except with your approbation."

"You mean, she will not run away."

"She will do nothing without your permission. But she will remain
unmarried unless she be allowed to marry Mr. Tregear."

"What do you advise then?"

"That you should yield. As regards money, you could give them what
they want. Let him go into public life. You could manage that for
him."

"He is Conservative!"

"What does that matter when the question is one of your daughter's
happiness? Everybody tells me that he is clever and well conducted."

He betrayed nothing by his face as this was said to him. But as he
got into the carriage he was a miserable man. It is very well to tell
a man that he should yield, but there is nothing so wretched to a man
as yielding. Young people and women have to yield,--but for such a
man as this, to yield is in itself a misery. In this matter the Duke
was quite certain of the propriety of his judgment. To yield would
be not only to mortify himself, but to do wrong at the same time. He
had convinced himself that the Popplecourt arrangement would come to
nothing.