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She was walking with her father when she first heard of his intended visit to London. At that time she had received Mrs. Finn's first letter, but not the second. "I suppose you'll see Silverbridge," she said. She knew then that Frank Tregear was living with her brother. "I am going up on purpose to see him. He is causing me much annoyance." "Is he extravagant?" "It is not that at present."
Tregear was one of the most popular men in New Zealand, and his resignation under such conditions would raise a storm that no ministry would care to face. Hence the government was in a worse situation than ever.
"I have not the pleasure of knowing Mr. Tifto." "He is a major. I think you'd like Major Tifto. He's a sort of racing coach to Silverbridge. You ought to know Tifto. And Tregear is pretty nearly cleared out." "Mr. Tregear! Frank Tregear!" "I'm told he has been hit very heavy. I hope he's not a friend of yours, Lady Mabel." "Indeed he is; a very dear friend and a cousin." "That's what I hear.
Tregear, therefore, thinking that nothing could be got by delay, sent his name in to the Duke before he had been an hour in the house, and asked for an interview. The servant brought back word that his Grace was fatigued, but would see Mr. Tregear if the matter in question was one of importance. Frank's heart quailed for a moment, but only for a moment. He took up a pen and wrote a note.
But I thought Lord Gerald's protestation was too great for a mere aquatic triumph." "Now you are poking your fun at me," said Gerald. "Well he may," said the Duke sententiously. "We have laid ourselves very open to having fun poked at us in this matter." "I think, sir," said Tregear, "that they are learning to do the same sort of thing at the American Universities."
"I don't suppose we shall be allowed to run about the world together so soon as that," said Tregear, "but I am too well satisfied with my day's work to complain." "Did he say what he meant to give her?" "Oh dear no; nor even that he meant to give her anything. I should not dream of asking a question about it. Nor when he makes any proposition shall I think of having any opinion of my own."
"To tell you the truth, I do not know what she has to say to me; though I can guess." "What do you guess?" "It is something about your sister." "You will have to give that up, Tregear." "I think not." "Yes, you will; my father will never stand it." "I don't know what there is to stand. I am not noble, nor am I rich; but I am as good a gentleman as he is."
"It must be put an end to," said the Duke, very decidedly. "Do you not see that it must be so? Who is Mr. Tregear?" "I suppose they were allowed to be together." "He was unfortunately intimate with Silverbridge, who took him over to Italy. He has nothing; not even a profession."
Then he sat down, and I am afraid he felt that he had made the speech of the evening. "We are so much obliged to you, Lord Silverbridge," Miss Tregear said as they were walking home together. "That's just the sort of thing that the people like. So reassuring, you know. What Mr. Williams says about the dissenters is of course true; but it isn't reassuring."
As she intended to belong to Frank Tregear, she thought it expedient that he should have the best of her days as well as what might be supposed to be the worst; and she therefore resolved that it would be her duty to make her father understand that though she would certainly obey him, she would look to be treated humanely by him, and not to be made miserable for an indefinite term of years.
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