It was a thousand pities! Then she asked herself whether the marriage ought to be regarded as impossible.

The Duke had been very positive,--had declared again and again that it was quite impossible, had so expressed himself as to make her aware that he intended her to understand that he would not yield whatever the sufferings of the girl might be.

But Lady Cantrip knew the world well and was aware that in such matters daughters are apt to be stronger than their fathers.

He had declared Tregear to be a young man with very small means, and intent on such pleasures as require great means for their enjoyment.

No worse character could be given to a gentleman who had proposed himself as a son-in-law.