in regard to ladies. But the constraint of which you speak is
necessary for their protection. Are you unwilling to see the
Duke?'

He was very unwilling, but he would not confess so much. He gave
various reasons for delay, urging repeatedly the question of his
marriage was one which he could not press upon the Duke so soon
after the death of the Duchess. And when she assured him that this
was a matter of importance so great, that even the death of the
man's wife should not be held by him to justify delay, he became
angry, and for awhile insisted that must be allowed to follow his
own judgement. But he gave her a promise that he would see the
Duke before a week was over. Nevertheless he left the house in
dudgeon, having told Mrs Finn more than once that she was taking
advantage of Lady Mary's confidence. They hardly parted as
friends, and her feeling was, on the whole, hostile to him and to
his love. It could not, she thought, be for the happiness of such
a one as Lady Mary that she should give herself to one who seemed
to have so little to recommend him.

He, when he had left her, was angry with his own weakness. He had
not only promised that he would make his application to the Duke,
but that he would do so within the period of a week. Who was she
that she should exact terms from him after this fashion, and
prescribe days and hours? And now, because this strange woman had
spoken to him, he was compelled to make a journey down to the
Duke's country house, and seek an interview in which he would be
surely snubbed?

This occurred on a Wednesday, and he resolved that he would go