Was he with you yesterday, sir ?" "Yes, he was." "What was that about ?" asked Lord Silverbridge, in a voice that almost betrayed fear, for he knew very well what cause had produced the interview.
"He has been speaking to me--" When the Duke had got so far as this he paused, finding himself to be hardly able to declare the disgrace which had fallen upon himself and his family.

As he did tell the story, both his face and his voice were altered, so that the son, in truth, was scared.

"He has been speaking to me about your sister.

Did you know of this ?" "I knew there was something between them." "And you encouraged it ?" "No, sir; just the contrary.

I have told him that I was quite sure it would never do." "And why did you not tell me ?" "Well, sir; that was hardly my business, was it ?" "Not to guard the honour of your sister ?" "You see, sir, how many things have happened all at once." "What things ?" "My dear mother, sir, thought well of him." The Duke uttered a deep sigh and turned again round to the fire.