But the Duke was no doubt more than the house, the father-in-law
more than the tables. Isabel, in the ordinary way of society, he
had known almost with intimacy. She, the while, had been well
aware that if all things could possibly be made to run smoothly
with her, this lordly host, who was so pleasantly courteous to
her, would become her father-in-law. But she had known also that,
in his courtesy, had been altogether unaware of any such intention
on her part, and that she would now present herself to him in an
aspect very different from that in which she had hitherto been
regarded. She was well aware that the Duke had not wished to take
her into the family,--would not himself have chosen her for his
son's wife. She had seen enough to make her sure that he had even
chosen another bride for his heir. She had been too clever not to
perceive that Lady Mabel Grex had been not only selected,--but
almost accepted as though the thing had been certain. She had
learned nearly the whole truth from Silverbridge, who was not good
at keeping a secret from one to whom his heart was open.
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