She did not know it, but, in truth, he was
remaining in order that he might, as he said, 'have all this out
with the governor'.
She tried to realise for herself some plan, but when the evening
came nothing was fixed. For a quarter of an hour, just as the sun
was setting, the Duke joined her in the gardens,--and spoke to her
more plainly than he had ever spoken before. 'Has Silverbridge
come home?' he asked.
'I have not seen him.'
'I hope you and Mary get on well together.'
'I think so, Duke. I am sure we should if we saw more of each
other.'
'I sincerely hope you may. There is nothing I wish for Mary so
much as that she should have a sister. And there is no one whom I
would be so glad to hear her call by that name as yourself.' How
could he have spoken plainer?
The ladies were all together in the drawing-room when Silverbridge
came bursting in rather late. 'Where's the governor?' he asked,
turning to his sister.
'Dressing I should think; but what is the matter?'
'I want to see him. I must be off to Cornwall tomorrow morning.
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