'You are welcome
to Matching,' he said, taking off his hat with something of
ceremony. This was said before the servants, but Tregear was then
led into the study and the door was closed. 'I never do anything
by halves, Mr Tregear,' he said. 'Since it is to so you shall be
the same to me as though you had come under other auspices. Of
yourself personally I hear all that is good. Consider yourself at
home here, and in all things use me as your friend.' Tregear
endeavoured to make some reply, but could not find words that were
fitting. 'I think that young people are out,' continued the Duke.
'Mr Warburton will help you find them if you like to go upon the
search.' The words had been very gracious, but still there was
something in the manner of the man which made Tregear find it
almost impossible to regard him as he might have regarded another
father-in-law. He had often heard the Duke spoken of as a man who
could become awful if he pleased, almost without an effort. He had
been told of the man's mingled simplicity, courtesy, self-
assertion against which no impudence or raillery could prevail.
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