"You intend to abide by it?"
"Unswervingly. My reason is convinced and my honour is pledged."
The bishop turned and strode twice up and down the library, a noble and reverend figure as he struggled with his anger.
"I have seen Constance," he said at length, speaking with marked difficulty. "Of course any idea of your marriage is now out of the question."
The suddenness of the words hit the duke like a blow.
"And Constance?" he said in a faint voice; "she——"
"She is of one mind with me," Lord Camborne answered. "The blow has been terrible for her, but she is true to her blood. An announcement that the marriage will not take place will be sent to the papers to-day."
"May I see her?"
"You may see her, John," the bishop said brokenly. "Oh, why have you brought this shame and public disgrace upon us? I did not intend to make an appeal to you, but I knew your father, I have loved you, and there is my dear daughter. Is it too late? Cannot you withdraw? Can it not be explained as a momentary aberration, a freak, a joke, call it what you will? There would be talk and scandal, of course, but it would soon blow over and be forgotten. It could be arranged. I have great influence. Is it too late? Remember all that you are losing, think well before you answer."
There were tears in the bishop's voice.