Adrien made as if to speak; but his father checked him, with a gesture of his hand.
"Stay, hear me out," he said. "When I was your age, your mother was at my side, I had given the House of Leroy its son and heir. I was married, and had left the lighter loves of the world for a more lasting and responsible one. You know I have never interfered much with your life; but though I am no longer of the gay world, I yet hear something of its doings. You 'live the pace,' they tell me, and are the idol of the smart set. Barminster Castle, Adrien, looks for something higher than that in its lord and master. I repeat, sir, at your age I was married."
"And loved," said Adrien softly.
"Yes, indeed," exclaimed Lord Barminster, his face lighting up at the thought of the woman whom he had lost, and mourned so long. "Your mother was that which ranks above rubies, a good and virtuous woman, worthy of any man's love."
Adrien turned his pale face away, as if to avoid scrutiny, then he said gently:
"I admit your right to speak like this, sir, and if it rested with me I would obey you at once."
"It does rest with you, Adrien," returned his father quickly. "Surely you are blind, not to see that Constance Tremaine loves you with her whole heart."
Adrien started up, his face alight and quivering with excitement.
"Impossible, sir!" he exclaimed. "Would to heaven it were true; for I know no other woman to whom I would so gladly devote my life."
The grim old face softened and relaxed. He had not expected such an overwhelming victory.