"I never
heard of such a thing in all my life; never!"
"I suppose I might as well go now," said Lord Rufford after a
pause.
"You may go to the D--, Sir,--for the present" Then Lord Rufford
took his departure leaving the injured parent panting with his
exertions. As Lord Rufford went away he felt that that difficulty
had been overcome with much more ease than he had expected. He
hardly knew what it was that he had dreaded, but he had feared
something much worse than that. Had an appeal been made to his
affections he would hardly have known how to answer. He remembered
well that he had assured the lady that he loved her, and had a
direct question been asked him on that subject he would not have
lied. He must have confessed that such a declaration had been made
by him. But he had escaped that. He was quite sure that he had
never uttered a hint in regard to marriage, and he came away from
the Duke's house almost with an assurance that he had done nothing
that was worthy of much blame.
Lord Augustus looked at his watch, rang the bell, and ordered a
cab. He must now go and see his daughter, and then he would have
done with the matter--for ever. But as he was passing through the
hall his nephew caught hold of him and took him back into the room.
"What does he say for himself?" asked Lord Mistletoe.
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