As they got
out into the park the party were divided, and Silverbridge found
himself with Mr Boncassen. Then it occurred to him that the proper
thing for a young man in love was to go, not to his own father,
but to the lady's father. Why should not he do as others always
did? Isabel no doubt had suggested a different course. But that
which Isobel suggested was at the present moment impossible to
him. Now at this instant, without a moment's forethought, he
determined to tell his story to Isabel's father,--as any other
young lover might tell it to any other father.
'I am very glad to find ourselves alone, Mr Boncassen,' he said.
Mr Boncassen bowed and showed himself prepared to listen. Though
so many at Matching had seen the whole play, Mr Boncassen had seen
nothing of it.
'I don't know whether you are aware of what I have got to say.'
'I cannot quite say that I am, my lord. But whatever it is, I am
sure I shall be delighted to hear it.'
'I want to marry your daughter,' said Silverbridge. Isabel had
told him that he was downright, and in such a matter he had hardly
as yet learned how to express himself with those paraphrases in
which the world delights.
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