"My dear boy," he said, "you are jesting; I am quite sure you are jesting. It cannot be real; you would not be so cruel!"
"Father," repeated the young lord, in an imperative voice, "will you bid my wife welcome home?"
"No," said the earl stoutly, "I will not. The young lady will excuse me if I decline to bid her welcome to a home that can never be hers."
"Father," cried the young man, reproachfully, "I did not expect this from you."
"I do not understand what else you could expect," cried the earl, angrily. "Do you mean to tell me that it is true that this person is your wife?"
"My dear and honored wife," replied the young man.
"Do you mean to tell me that you have actually married this lady, Lance—really married her?"
"I have, indeed, father, and it is about the best action of my life," said Lord Chandos.
"How do you intend to face my lady?" asked the earl, with the voice and manner of one who proposes a difficulty not to be solved.
"I thought you would help us, father; at least, speak to my wife."