"To tell you the truth," wrote Uncle Spencer, "it is against all my principles to make engagements so many weeks ahead; but every rule has its exception, and I shall be very happy to officiate on December 1st, if I am spared, and if it has not seemed good to you meanwhile to postpone the event. I must say that in my poor judgment a longer engagement would have shown greater wisdom: your Aunt and I waited some five years and a quarter! As you say that you are determined to depend (almost entirely) on your own efforts, it would have been well, in our opinion, to follow our example, and to wait until your literary position is more established than your warmest admirer can consider it to be at present. At the same time, my dear Henry, if marriage leads you into a less frivolous vein of writing (such as I once hoped you were about to adopt), I for one shall be thankful--if only you are also able to make both ends meet." Gordon Lowndes read this letter with such uproarious delight that Harry was sorry he had shown it to him. "There's that brother of mine," said he; "the chap we wired to for the tenner; _he_ would want a finger in the pie if he knew. But he's forgotten our existence since we left Berkeley Square, and I'm hanged if I remember his again. Besides, he's as High as your uncle's Low, and they might set on each other in the church. On the whole I'm sorry it isn't to be your schoolmaster friend. I want to meet that man, Ringrose. I want to turn that school of his into a Limited Liability Company." * * * * * It took place very quietly on a bright keen winter's day. Harry's parents were there, and Gordon Lowndes, and another. Mr. Walthew performed the ceremony in a slow and sober fashion which added something to its solemnity; the church was very still and empty; and in one awful pause the bridegroom's voice deserted him, in the mere fulness of his boyish heart. But the hand that he was holding pressed his with the familiar, firm, kind pressure, and it was from his heart of hearts that the lagging words burst: "I will!" THE END. PRINTED BY CASSELL & COMPANY, LIMITED, LA BELLE SAUVAGE, LONDON, E.C. SECOND EDITION. MY LORD DUKE. By E. W. HORNUNG, _Author of "The Rogue's March," "Tiny Luttrell," "A Bride from the Bush," etc._ Price 6s. "'My Lord Duke' is _thoroughly clever and amusing_."--_Athenæum._ "From the first page to the last Mr. Hornung's story is _fascinating and powerful_."--_Pall Mall Gazette._ "_Worth any dozen of the novels_ which would compete with it for popular favour."--_Daily Mail._ "One of the most agreeable novels that we can remember."--_Academy._ "Mr. Hornung is to be congratulated on having produced _a bright and amusing story_."--_Daily Telegraph._ "'The Dook,' as he first calls himself, and Olivia are _delightful creations_ of an undeniable freshness and originality."--_Morning Post._