"I wish we could start this instant."
"But we can't,—can we?"
"No, dear. So many things have to be settled."
"And what have you settled on since you last spoke to me?"
"I have told your father everything."
"Yes;—I know that. What good does that do? Father is not a Duke of Omnium. No one supposed that he would object."
"But he did," said Silverbridge.
"Yes;—as I do,—for the same reason; because he would not have his daughter creep in at a hole. But to your own father you have not ventured to speak." Then he told his story, as best he knew how. It was not that he feared his father, but that he felt that the present moment was not fit. "He wishes you to marry that Lady Mabel Grex," she said. He nodded his head. "And you will marry her?"
"Never! I might have done so, had I not seen you. I should have done so, if she had been willing. But now I never can,—never, never." Her hand had dropped from his arm, but now she put it up again for a moment, so that he might feel the pressure of her fingers. "Say that you believe me."
"I think I do."