But," she added with a laugh, "I am almost certain he wouldn't be a duke or a lord, or anything of that sort, for, provided a man is a gentleman, I don't care twopence about his having a title." "Jane, don't talk so foolishly," I answered.
"Well, father," she said astonished, "if those are my opinions at least I got them from you, for I was always brought up upon strictly democratic principles.

How often have I heard you declare in your lectures down at Dunchester that men of our race are all equal--except the working-man, who is better than the others--and that but for social prejudice the 'son of toil' is worthy of the hand of any titled lady in the kingdom ?" "I haven't delivered that lecture for years," I answered angrily.
"No, father, not since--let me see, not since old Mrs.Strong left you all her money, and you were made an Under-Secretary of State, and lords and ladies began to call on us.

Now, I shouldn't have said that, because it makes you angry, but it is true, though, isn't it ?" and she was gone.
That August when the House rose we went down to a place that I owned on the outskirts of Dunchester.

It was a charming old house, situated in the midst of a considerable estate that is famous for its shooting.

This property had come to me as part of Mrs.Strong's bequest, or, rather, she held a heavy mortgage on it, and when it was put up for sale I bought it in.