"And to declare that my son is not my son."
"I have never said that."
"And to set a dozen attorneys to work to prove that my heir is a bastard."
"We heard of your marriage, my lord, as having been fixed for a certain date,—a date long subsequent to that of the birth of your son. What were we to think?"
"As if that hadn't been explained to you, and to all the world, a dozen times over. Did you never hear of a second marriage being solemnized in England to satisfy certain scruples? You have sent out and made your inquiries, and what have they come to? I know all about it."
"As far as I am concerned you are quite welcome to know everything."
"I dare say;—even though I should be stung to death by the knowledge. Of course I understand. You think that I have no feeling at all."
"Not much as to duty to your family, certainly," said the Dean, stoutly.
"Exactly. Because I stand a little in the way of your new ambition, I am the Devil himself. And yet you and those who have abetted you think it odd that I haven't received you with open arms. My boy is as much to me as ever was your daughter to you."
"Perhaps so, my lord. The question is not whether he is beloved, but whether he is Lord Popenjoy."