So he had determined on making Madaline his wife if he could but win her consent.

The only thing to be feared was her own unwillingness.

She was fair and fragile, but she had a wonderful strength of will.
He had thought it all over.

He remembered well what the duchess had said about the duke's not caring to hear the matter mentioned.

Lord Arleigh could understand that, with all his gentleness, Hazlewood was a proud man, and that, if there had been a _mesalliance_ in his family, he would be the last to wish it discussed.