If it had been so,--even whether it had been so or not,--he had been wrong to tell the man that he did not believe him.

And the man had rebuked him with dignity.

"At any rate it is impossible," he repeated.
"I cannot allow that it is impossible." "That is for me to judge, sir." "I trust that you will excuse me when I say that I also must hold myself to be in some degree a judge in the matter.

If you were in my place, you would feel--" "I could not possibly be in your place." "If your Grace were in my place you would feel that as long as you were assured by the young lady that your affection was valued by her you would not be deterred by the opposition of her father.

That you should yield to me, of course I do not expect; that Lady Mary should be persistent in her present feelings, when she knows your mind, perhaps I have no right to hope; but should she be so persistent as to make you feel that her happiness depends, as mine does, on our marriage, then I shall believe that you will yield at last." "Never!" said the Duke.