"Of course her consent would follow my act. That was taken for granted."
"But, sir, her consent did not follow your act. Quite the contrary; for my rejection followed it. It is of no use to multiply words. The affair is at an end. I have bidden good-by to Mrs. Rothsay. I am here to say good-by to you."
"You cannot mean it!"
"I have left Rockhold finally. I shall leave North End by this six p.m. train, en route for the South," continued the rejected lover.
"Then, by ——! if she has driven you out of my house, she shall go herself! I have done the best I could for the woman, and she has repaid me by ingratitude and rebellion. And she shall leave my house at once!" exclaimed the despot in a tone of savage resolution.
"Mr. Rockharrt, I must beg that you will not visit my disappointment on the head of your unoffending granddaughter."
"Duke of Cumbervale, you must not venture to interfere with me in the discipline of my own family. I don't very much like dukes. I think I said that once before. I rejected you for my granddaughter two years ago when she was bound to Rule Rothsay. Now that she is a widow and is free, I accepted your suit and bestowed her on you, not that I like dukes any better now than I did then, but I like you better as a man."
The young duke bowed with solemn gravity at this compliment, repressing the smile that fluttered about his lips. At this moment a waiter entered the room, and said that "the gentleman's" servant had arrived with his master's luggage, and requested to know where it was to be put.
"Tell him to get his dinner, and then take the luggage in the same carriage to the station," said the duke, and the messenger withdrew.
"Have you lunched, duke?" inquired Mr. Rockharrt, mindful, even in his rage, of his duties as a host.