Here a remarkable thing happened. Lord Chester should have affected a complete ignorance of the insult which Constance had deliberately flung in her rival's teeth: what he did do was to turn slowly round and stare, in undisguised wonder, at the Duchess, as if surprised at her audacity. Even her Grace, with all her pride and experience, could not sustain this calm, cold look. She faltered and said no more. Lord Chester picked up the stick, and handed it to her with a low bow. 'I am much obliged to you, Lady Carlyon,' said the Chancellor, tapping her knuckles with her glasses; 'very much obliged to you, I am sure, for laying down rules for _my_ guidance--MINE!--in the interpretation of the law and my duty. That, however, may pass. It is my business--although I confess that this interruption is of a most surprising and unprecedented nature--to proceed with the case before me, which is that of the proposal made by the Duchess of Dunstanburgh.' 'Do I understand,' asked Lady Carlyon, 'that you refuse to receive my proposal? Remember that you _must_ receive it. You cannot help receiving it. This is a public matter, which shall, if necessary, be brought before the House and before the nation. I say that your ladyship must receive my proposal.' 'Upon my word!' cried the Chancellor. 'Upon my word!' 'Perhaps,' said the Duchess, 'if Lady Carlyon's proposal were to be received--let me ask that it may be received, even if against precedent--the consideration of the case could be proceeded with at once, and perhaps your ladyship's decision might be given on the spot.' 'Very good--very good.' The Chancellor was glad to get out of a difficulty. 'I will take the second proposal into consideration as well as the first. Now then, my Lord. You have been already informed that the Duchess has asked me for your hand.'