'She did so, Mrs Finn.'

'And I suppose that generally the mother would tell the father.'

'She did not.'

'No; and therefore the position of the young lady is now one of
great embarrassment. The Duchess has gone from us, and we must now
make up our minds as to what had better be done. It is out of the
question that Lady Mary should be allowed to consider herself to
be engaged, and that her father should be kept in ignorance of her
position.' She paused for his reply, but as he said nothing, she
continued: 'Either you must tell the Duke, or she must do so, or I
must do so.'

'I suppose she told you in confidence.'

'No doubt. She told me presuming that I would not betray her; but
I shall,--if that be a betrayal. The Duke must know it. It will be
infinitely better that he should know it through you, or through
her, than through me. But he must be told.'

'I can't quite see why,' said Tregear.

'For her sake,--whom I suppose you love.'

'Certainly I love her.'

'In order that she may not suffer. I wonder you do not see it, Mr