Sophie Mellerby had refused him once, but young ladies have been known to marry gentlemen after refusing them more than once.

He at any rate was determined to persevere, having in himself and in his affairs that silent faith of which the possessor is so often unconscious, but which so generally leads to success.

He found Miss Mellerby to be very courteous to him if not gracious; and he had the advantage of not being afraid of her.

It did not strike him that because she was the granddaughter of a duke, and because he was a younger son, that therefore he ought not to dare to look at her.

He understood very well that she was brought there that Fred might marry her;--but Fred was intent on marrying some one else, and Sophie Mellerby was not a girl to throw her heart away upon a man who did not want it.