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a turn about the room. He was evidently agitated, and his uncle allowed him to walk about for a few minutes before saying: "If you dislike it so very much, Gilly, you should have told me of it earlier. To draw back at this late date will be as bad as to declare off."
    The Duke turned a startled face towards him. "Oh, no, surely not!"
    "It has been understood between the two families for some years, and from what I hear the announcement of your engagement is pretty widely expected."
    The Duke looked quite horrified. "But it cannot be! I have never offered —ever said a word to Harriet, or given anyone the least reason to suppose that my affections had become fixed!"
    "My dear boy, in our world these affairs are generally known. Ampleforth has refused one offer for Harriet's hand already, and I have little doubt that her ladyship will have dropped a hint or two abroad. It would be a great piece of folly to pretend that you are not a splendid matrimonial prize, Gilly, so we will not indulge ourselves with any humbug about that. In fact, except for Devonshire, who must be nearing thirty by now and seems to be a settled bachelor—besides he is extremely deaf—I do not know of one to equal you. Depend upon it, Augusta Ampleforth will not have been able to resist the temptation of telling her friends—in the strictest confidence, of course!—that she has such large expectations for her daughter. She must be the envy of her acquaintance!"
    The Duke passed a hand through his fair locks. "I had no idea of this! Do you tell me that the Ampleforths—Harriet—have been expecting me to declare myself?"
    "Oh, well, no, I do not say that," replied Lord Lionel. "In fact, I told Ampleforth I would not have you established too early in life. Your health was too uncertain, and I wished you to have time to look about you before making your choice."
    "My choice!" Gilly ejaculated. "It seems I have none at all, sir!"
    "Yon have certainly made none," said his uncle dryly.
    There was a defeated silence. After a few moments, Gilly said: "I do not know what to say. I must see Ampleforth, and—and Harriet too. Until I am persuaded that she does indeed expect me to offer—Well, I must see her!"
    "Not before you have spoken with her father!" exclaimed Lord Lionel.
    "Oh, no!" Gilly said wearily.
    "There is no need for you to be in a hurry," said Lord Lionel. "I believe the Ampleforths are in London at present, but they will be removing into the country at any moment now, I should suppose. Ampleforth is bound to invite you to one of his battues , and you may then—"
    "No, no, I would rather by far visit him in town!" Gilly said. "I had been thinking that I would go up to see my cousin. If you do not object, sir, I will do so."
    "Object! Pray, why should you always be supposing that I may object to what you wish to do, Gilly," demanded Lord Lionel. "But you will find London very thin of company at this season, and I own I do not like the fogs for you, and they will soon be starting, you know. However, if you like to go for a few days it can very well be arranged. I will send an express to Scriven, to warn him to have Sale House in readiness for you. Romsey may accompany you, and—"
    "I should like to go alone—and to an hotel!" said the Duke desperately.
    "Alone and to an hotel!" repeated his uncle, thunderstruck. "Next I shall be told that you would like to travel to town on the stage-coach!"
    "No, I don't wish to travel on a stage-coach, but I do not want Romsey!"
    Lord Lionel eyed him speculatively. "Now, what mischief are you up to, Gilly?" he asked, not displeased. "Do you mean to go raking in town?"
    The Duke smiled rather perfunctorily. "No, sir, but I find Romsey very tedious, and I am very sure he will find me a dead bore, for I mean to see a good deal of Gideon, and you know that they could never agree! And I thought I might shoot at Manton's, and look in at Tatt's besides, and that sort of thing is not in Romsey's line at all."
    "No,