"If you associate with him, not for pleasure, then it surely must be for profit. That you should do the former would be to me so surprising that I must regard it as impossible. That you should do the latter—is, I think, a reproach." This he said with no tone of anger in his voice,—so gently that Silverbridge at first hardly understood it. But gradually all that was meant came in upon him, and he felt himself to be ashamed of himself.
"He is bad," he said at last.
"Whether he be bad I will not say; but I am sure that you can gain nothing by his companionship."
"I will get rid of him," said Silverbridge, after a considerable pause. "I cannot do so at once, but I will do it."
"It will be better, I think."
"Tregear has been telling me the same thing."
"Is he objectionable to Mr. Tregear?" asked the Duke.
"Oh yes. Tregear cannot bear him. You treated him a great deal better than Tregear ever does."
"I do not deny that he is entitled to be treated well;—but so also is your groom. Let us say no more about him. And so it is to be Mabel Grex?"
"I did not say so, sir. How can I answer for her? Only it was so pleasant for me to know that you would approve if it should come off."