"Do not trouble yourself, duke, since I am, and I always was determined not to marry your son; upon my word, I am; and, if you again give me the lie, or speak to me as though you entirely disbelieved this positive assurance which has been repeated to your son so often, while on his knees he has implored me to become his wife, I shall say you do so because I am a woman, and cannot call you to account for it. Your Grace would use more ceremony with a man; but my object for the great presumption of thus intruding on you was the hope of being able to suggest some plan, which would render it unnecessary for Lord Worcester to join the Duke of Wellington's staff. You have answered me on that subject, and I have now the honour to take my leave of your grace." "Not yet," said the duke. "Pray stay till you are more tranquil. Shall I get you a glass of water?" I declared it was unnecessary; but he insisted on my waiting, while he himself went into his dressing-room to procure one. "Now I hope you are quite convinced that your being left in my hall was contrary to my knowledge, and gives me real concern?" said the duke, after I had swallowed the glass of water he presented to me. I bowed in acknowledgment of this apology, "I have spoken to Lord Worcester's father for the first, and in all human probability for the last time in my life," said I, feelingly; because I really for Worcester's sake felt a regard and respect towards his father at that time. "And if it should happen so?" inquired the Duke of Beaufort. "Will your Grace shake hands with me?" said I timidly, and without presuming to offer my hand. "With great pleasure," answered the duke, and, after shaking hands rather cordially, he himself conducted me into the hall, and called loudly to the porter to attend and open the door for me. CHAPTER XXVII Worcester came to town on the following morning, and all the duchess could say or do Worcester insisted on passing the whole of every day with me. "My lord," Will Haught would say through the keyhole of our bed-room, "my lord, the duchess desired me to tell you that she has a great deal of business to settle with you to-day about, in short, about all manner of things, my lord." "Very well, that is enough, Will," his lordship would answer. In another hour this torment would knock again. "My lord Her Grace looked rather displeased this morning. The duchess was almost in a passion." "You be d----d! go along!" was the elegant reply. "My lord," in another hour, "you see I'm tired of standing in this here room, and the duchess this morning--I assure you, my lord,--your lordship knows what I mean, Her Grace had got a very particular look in her face; you know, my lord, how she looks when she's vexed like, and takes on, you know, my lord." "Go to hell!" vociferated Worcester, from the emergency of the case, although he had by no means the habit of swearing. "I'm going, my lord," answered Will Haught.