man because he possessed none of these attributes. He hurried
himself on to add that the man must be of good character, and such as
a young girl might learn to love. But yet he was aware that he added
these things for his conscience's sake. Tregear's character was good,
and certainly the girl loved him. But was it not clear to all who
knew anything of such matters that Mr. Francis Tregear should not
have dared even to think of marrying the daughter of the Duke of
Omnium?

Who should be the happy man? There were so many who evidently were
unfit. Young Lord Percival was heir to a ruined estate and a beggared
peerage. Lord Glasslough was odious to all men. There were three or
four others of whom he thought that he knew some fatal objection. But
when he remembered Lord Popplecourt there seemed to be no objection
which need be fatal.

Lord Popplecourt was a young peer whose father had died two years
since and whose estates were large and unembarrassed. The late lord,
who had been a Whig of the old fashion, had been the Duke's friend.
They had been at Oxford and in the House of Commons together, and
Lord Popplecourt had always been true to his party. As to the son,
the Duke remembered to have heard lately that he was not given to
waste his money. He drove a coach about London a good deal, but had
as yet not done anything very foolish. He had taken his degree at
Oxford, thereby showing himself to be better than Silverbridge. He
had also taken his seat in the House of Lords and had once opened
his mouth. He had not indeed appeared often again; but at Lord
Popplecourt's age much legislation is not to be expected from a young
peer. Then he thought of the man's appearance. Popplecourt was not
specially attractive, whereas Tregear was a very handsome man. But
so also had been Burgo Fitzgerald,--almost abnormally beautiful,
while he, Plantagenet Palliser, as he was then, had been quite as
insignificant in appearance as Lord Popplecourt.

Lord Popplecourt might possibly do. But then how should the matter be
spoken of to the young man? After all, would it not be best that he
should trust Lady Cantrip?

CHAPTER XXV

A Family Breakfast-Table

Lord Silverbridge had paid all his Derby losses without any
difficulty. They had not been very heavy for a man in his position,
and the money had come without remonstrance. When asking for it he
was half ashamed of himself, but could still find consolation by
remembering how much