'I do mean your father. Happily he has taken no dislike to the
girl herself. I have seen enough of him to feel that he is devoted
to his own children.'
'Indeed he is.'
'A just and liberal man;--one whom I should say not carried away by
prejudices! Well,--my girl and I have just put our heads together,
and we have come to a conclusion. If the Duke of Omnium will tell
us that she would be safe as your wife,--safe from the contempt of
those around her,--you shall have her. And I shall rejoice to give
her to you,--not because you are Lord Silverbridge, not because of
your rank and wealth; but because you are--that individual human
being whom I now hold by the hand.'
CHAPTER 71
'What am I to Say, Sir?'
When Silverbridge left Mr Boncassen's house he was resolved to go
to his father without an hour's delay, and represent to the Duke
exactly how the case stood. He would be urgent, piteous,
submissive, and eloquent. In any other matter he would promise to
make whatever arrangements his father might desire. He would make
his father understand that all his happiness depended on this
marriage.
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