Mr Boncassen stood stock still, and in
the excitement of the moment pulled off his hat. 'The proper thing
is to ask your permission to go on with it.'
'You want to marry my daughter!'
'Yes. That is what I have got to say.'
'Is she aware of your--intention?'
'Quite aware. I believe I may say that if other things go
straight, she will consent.'
'And your father--the Duke?'
'He knows nothing about it,--as yet.'
'Really this takes me by surprise. I am afraid you have not given
enough thought to the matter.'
'I have been thinking about it for the last three months,' said
Lord Silverbridge.
'Marriage is a very serious thing.'
'Of course it is.'
'And men generally like to marry their equals.'
'I don't know about that. I don't think that counts for much.
People don't always know who are their equals.'
'That is quite true. If I were speaking to you or to your father
theoretically I should perhaps be unwilling to admit superiority
on your side because of your rank and wealth. I could make an
argument in favour of any equality with the best Briton that ever
lived,--as would become a true-born Republican.
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