The Duke feels that no further correspondence between himself and Mrs.
Finn on the matter could lead to any good result.
"Do you understand it ?" asked Mrs.Finn.
"I think so." "It simply means this,--that when at Matching he had thought me worthy of having for a time the charge of you and of your welfare, that he had trusted me, who was the friend of your dear mother, to take for a time in regard to you the place which had been so unhappily left vacant by her death; and it means also that I deceived him and betrayed that trust by being privy to an engagement on your part, of which he disapproves, and of which he was not then aware." "I suppose he does mean that." "Yes, Lady Mary; that is what he means.

And he means further to let me know that as I did so foully betray the trust which he had placed in me,--that as I had consented to play the part of assistant to you in that secret engagement,--therefore he casts me off as altogether unworthy of his esteem and acquaintance.

It is as though he had told me in so many words that among women he had known none more vile or more false than I." "Not that, Mrs.Finn." "Yes, that;--all of that.

He tells me that, and then says that there shall be no more words spoken or written about it.

I can hardly submit to so stern a judgment.