He would be glad to increase his personal intimacy with his colleagues if it might be done pleasantly.
They had gone nearly a mile across the park, watching the stately movements of the herds of deer, and talking of this and that trifle, before Sir Orlando could bring about an opportunity for uttering his word.

At last he did it somewhat abruptly.

"I think upon the whole we did pretty well last Session," he said, standing still under an old oak-tree.
"Pretty well," re-echoed the Duke.
"And I suppose we have not much to be afraid of next Session ?" "I am afraid of nothing," said the Duke.
"But--;" then Sir Orlando hesitated.

The Duke, however, said not a word to help him on.

Sir Orlando thought that the Duke looked more ducal than he had ever seen him look before.