aker for a moment, and then said, quite
calmly:

"Please to repeat that all over again, slowly and distinctly."

The duke flushed to the edges of his hair, but he repeated his proposal
in plain words.

"You have asked Cora Haught to marry you?" demanded the Iron King.

"Yes, sir."

"What did she say?"

"She did me the honor to give me some hope, and she referred me to you,
as I have already explained."

"I don't believe it!" blurted the old man.

"Sir!" said the duke, in a low voice.

"I don't believe it! What! My granddaughter--mine--break her faith and
wish to marry some one else?"

"Mr. Rockharrt," began the duke, in a smooth tone--though his blood was
hot with anger--"I am sorry you should so forget the--"

"I forget nothing. I remember that you charge my
granddaughter--mine--with unfaithfulness! It is an insult, sir!"

"Really, Mr. Rockharrt, I do not understand you."

"I don't suppose you do! I never gave your order much credit for
intelligence."

Is this old ruffian mad or drunk? was the secret question of the duke,
whose tone and manner, always calm and polite, grew even calmer and more
polite as the Iron King grew more sarcastic and insulting.

"I would suggest that you speak to Miss Haught on this subject, that she
may confirm my statement," he said.

"I shall do nothing of the kind! I shall not entertain for an instant
the thought of the possibility of my granddaughter breaking her plighted
faith."

"I never knew that she was engaged. May I ask the name of the happy
man?"

"Regulas Rothsay; he is not a duke; he is a printer; also a senator, and
nominated for governor of his native State; sure to be elected, and then
he is to marry my granddaughter, who has been engaged to him many
years."

"But Miss Haught certainly authorized me to ask her hand of you."

When did this extraordinary acceptance take place?"

"Yesterday evening, at Lady Netherby's ball."

"After supper?"

"After supper."

"That accounts for it! You took too much wine, and misunderstood my
granddaughter's reply She must have referred you to me for an
explanation of her engagement, and consequent inability to entertain any
other man's proposal. That was it!"

"May I refer you to Miss Haught for confirmation of my words?"

"I say, as I said before, no."

"May I see the young lady herself?"

"No; but I will tell you something that may console you under your
disappointment. I have seen in several of your papers