"Perhaps not."

"That he'll never give,--and I don't suppose you look forward to
waiting till his death."

"If he sees that her happiness really depends on it he will give his
leave. It all depends on that. If I judge your father rightly, he's
just as soft-hearted as other people. The man who holds out is not
the man of the firmest opinion, but the man of the hardest heart."

"Somebody will talk Mary over."

"If so, the thing is over. It all depends on her." Then he went on to
tell his friend that he had spoken of his engagement to Lady Mabel.
"I have mentioned it to no soul but to your father and to her."

"Why to her?"

"Because we were friends together as children. I never had a sister,
but she has been more like a sister to me than any one else. Do you
object to her knowing it?"

"Not particularly. It seems to me now that everybody knows
everything. There are no longer any secrets."

"But she is a special friend."

"Of yours," said Silverbridge.

"And of yours," said Tregear.

"Well, yes;--in a sort of way. She is the jolliest girl I know."

"Take her all round, for beauty, intellect, good sense, and fun at
the same time, I don't know any one equal to her."

"It's a pity you didn't fall in love with her."

"We knew each other too early for that. And then she has not a
shilling. I should think myself dishonest if I did not tell you that
I could not afford to love any girl who hadn't money. A man must
live,--and a woman too."

At the station they were met by Mr. Sprugeon and Mr. Sprout, who,
with many apologies for the meanness of such entertainment, took them
up to the George and Vulture, which was supposed for the nonce to be
the Conservative hotel in the town. Here they were met by other men
of importance in the borough, and among them by Mr. Du Boung. Now Mr.
Sprout and Mr. Sprugeon were Conservatives, but Mr. Du Boung was a
strong Liberal.

"We are, all of us, particularly glad to see your Lordship among us,"
said Mr. Du Boung.

"I have told his Lordship how perfectly satisfied you are to see the
borough in his Lordship's hands," said Mr. Sprugeon.

"I am sure it could not be in better," said Mr. Du Boung. "For myself
I am quite willing to postpone any peculiar shade of politics to the
advantage of having your father's son as our representative."

This Mr. Du Boung said with much intention of imparting both grace
and dignity to the occasion. He thought that he was doing a great
thing