'You are peculiarly situated. Though as yet you are only
the heir to the property and honours of our family, still, were
you married, almost everything would be at your disposal. There is
so much I should only be ready to give up to you!'
'I can't bear to hear you talking of giving up anything,' said
Silverbridge energetically.
Then the father looked round the room furtively, and seeing that
the door was shut, and that they were assuredly alone, he put out
his hand and gently stroked the young man's hair. It was almost a
caress,--as though he would have said to himself, 'Were he my
daughter, I would kiss him.' 'There is much I would fain give up,'
he said. 'If you were a married man the house in Carlton Terrace
would be fitter for you than for me. I have disqualified myself
for taking that part in society which should be filled by the head
of our family. You who have inherited so much from your mother
would, if you married pleasantly, do all that right well.' He
paused for a moment and then asked a straightforward question,
very quickly--'You have never thought of anyone yet, I suppose?'
Silverbridge had thought very much of somebody.
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