He was worldly-wise enough to know that there were few women in London who would have refused him; and he said to himself that, if she would not marry him, he would go unmarried to the grave.

He was one of the first to feel sure that there was no truth in the rumors that had grieved him so the previous year.

Miss L'Estrange and Lord Arleigh were by force of circumstances great friends--nothing more, and this season he determined to make a friend of the man he had detested as a rival.
When the Duke of Hazlewood made up his mind, he generally accomplished his desire; he sought Lord Arleigh with such assiduity, he made himself so pleasant and agreeable to him, that the master of Beechgrove soon showed him his most cordial and sincere liking.

Then they became warm friends.

The duke confided in Lord Arleigh--he told him the whole story of his love for Miss L'Estrange.
"I know," he said, "that no one has so much influence over her as you.