"How very strange of Mr. Rockharrt to do such a thing. If I had been you, Cora, I should have got up and disclaimed it."
"No you would not. You would not have made a scene at the dinner table. I was in no way responsible for the announcement made by my grandfather, and in no way bound by it. The silence that seemed to indorse it was rendered absolutely necessary under the circumstances."
"But what shall you do about it?"
"As soon as I can speak of it without making a scene, I shall tell Mr. Rockharrt and the Duke of Cumbervale that a most reprehensible liberty has been taken with my name. I will say that I never have been, and never will be, engaged to the Duke of Cumbervale, or to any other man. That is what I shall do about it."
"It would mortify the duke very much."
"I do not care if it does."
"And, indeed, it would put Mr. Rockharrt into a terrible rage."
"I cannot help it. Here come the gentlemen."
At that moment the four gentlemen entered the drawing room. The duke came directly up to Cora, and bending over her, said in a low voice inaudible to the rest of the party:
"Corona, you have blessed me beyond the power of words to express! Only the dedication of a life to your happiness—"