Well, then, you have my authority to ask her to be your wife.
There, what do you say ?" The young marquis sat down and covered his face with his hand for one thoughtful moment, and then replied: "This is a happiness so unexpected that it seems unreal.

Sir Lemuel, do you really appreciate the fact that I am a man without a shilling that I do not earn by my labor ?" "I really appreciate the fact, and most highly appreciate the fact that you are Marquis of Arondelle, and to be Duke of Hereward--and that you are personally as noble in nature as you are fortunately noble in descent.

And although my first motive in favoring this marriage is the pure desire for yours and for my daughter's happiness, still I assure you, my lord, I am keenly alive to its eligibility in a mere worldly point of view.

Your ancient historical title is, (to speak as a man of the world,) much more than an equivalent for my daughter's expectations.
But it is not, as I said before, as a highly eligible, conventional marriage that I most desire it, but as a marriage that I feel sure will secure the happiness of yourself and my daughter, whom I shall, nevertheless, be very proud to see, some day, Duchess of Hereward.
Come, now, I never saw a gallant young man hesitate so long.

I shall grow angry presently." "Sir Lemuel," said the marquis, with some irrepressible emotion, "were I now really the Duke of Hereward, and the owner of Lone, and were your lovely daughter as dowerless as I am penniless at this moment, and did you give her to me, my deepest gratitude would be due you, and you have it now.