Rushbrook paused again.
“In our former conversation,” continued the Earl, “I gave you but a week to determine—there has, I think, elapsed since that time, half a year.”
“About as much, Sir.”
“Then surely you have now made up your mind?”
“I had done that at first, my Lord—if it had met with your concurrence.”
“You wished to lead a bachelor’s life, I think you said?”
Rushbrook bowed.
“Contrary to my will?”
“No, my Lord, I wished to have your approbation.”
“And you wished for my approbation of the very opposite thing to that I proposed? But I am not surprised—such is the gratitude of the world—and such is yours.”