CHAPTER XIV.
THE REJECTED SUITOR.
After the interview between Herbert and his mother, it became an understood thing at Castle Richmond that he was engaged to Lady Clara.

Sir Thomas raised no further objection, although it was clear to all the immediate family that he was by no means gratified at his son's engagement.

Very little more passed between Sir Thomas and Lady Fitzgerald on the subject.

He merely said that he would consider the question of his son's income, and expressed a hope, or perhaps an opinion rather than a hope, that the marriage would not take place quite immediately.
Under these circumstances, Herbert hardly spoke further to his father upon the matter.

He certainly did feel sore that he should be so treated--that he should be made to understand that there was a difficulty, but that the difficulty could not be explained to him.
No absolute opposition was however made, and he would not therefore complain.