to this
bereaved husband. But how could he, where the widower himself so
decidedly ignored the subject of his own sorrow? To have said one word
about his recent loss would have been, in the world's opinion and
vocabulary, "bad form."

"You are very kind, Mr. Rockharrt; and I thank you. I came on quite
comfortably in the hotel hack, which waits to take me back," was all
that he said.

"No, sir! that hack does not wait to take you back. I have sent it away.
Moreover, I settled your bill at the hotel, gave up your rooms, saw your
valet, and ordered your luggage to be brought here. It will arrive in an
hour," said the Iron King, as he threw himself into the great leathern
chair that the old butler pushed to the table for his master's
accommodation.

The duke looked at the old man in a state of stupefaction. How on earth
should he deal with this purse-proud egotist, who took the liberty of
paying his hotel bill, giving up his apartments and ordering his
servants? and doing all this without the faintest idea that he was
committing an unpardonable impertinence.

"You are to know, duke, that from the time you entered upon my domain at
North End, you became my guest--mine, sir! John, that Johannisberg. Fill
the duke's glass. My own importation, sir; twelve years in my cellar.
You will scarcely find its equal anywhere. Your health, sir."

The duke bowed and sipped his wine.

His future bearing to this old barbarian required mature reflection.
Only for the duke's infatuation with Cora, it would have not have needed
a minute's thought to make up his mind to flee from Rockhold forthwith.

When luncheon was over Mr. Rockharrt invited the duke into his study to
smoke. Before they had finished their first cigar the Iron King,
withdrawing his "lotus," and sending a curling cloud of vapor into the
air, said:

"You have something on your mind that you wish to get off it, sir. Out
with it! Nothing like frankness and promptness."

"You are right, Mr. Rockharrt. I do wish to speak to you on a point on
which my life's happiness hangs. Your beautiful granddaughter--"

"Yes, yes! Of course I knew it concerned her."

"Then I hope you do not disapprove my suit."

"I don't now, or I never should have invited you to come over to this
country and speak for yourself. The circumstances are different. When I
refused my granddaughter's hand to you in London, it was because I had
already promised it to another man--a fine fellow, worthy t