The Earl acknowledged this hit by giving a bark of laughter, but said: “Oh, well, there’s no need for you to take me up so literally! The thing is that you behaved very badly when you refused to make Henrietta Silverdale an offer! Never did I think to meet with such ingratitude, Desford! Anyone would have supposed that I had chosen a bride for you whom you disliked, or with whom you were unacquainted—which, I may tell you, was not an uncommon thing to happen in my day! Instead of that, I chose for you a girl with whom you had been closely acquainted all your life, and to whom I believed you to be sincerely attached. I might have looked much higher, but all I desired was your happiness! And what has been my reward? Tell me that!”

“Oh, for God’s sake, sir—!” exclaimed the Viscount, for the first time showing impatience. “Must you hark back to what happened nine years ago? Can’t you believe that Hetta had no more wish to marry me than I had to many her?”

“No—and if you mean to tell me you were not attached to her you may as well spare your breath!”

“Of course I was attached to her—as though she had been my sister! I still am: we are the best of good friends, but a man don’t wish to marry his sister, however fond he may be of her! The truth of the matter is, Papa, that you and Sir John hatched the scheme between you—though how the pair of you could be such gudgeons as to suppose that to rear us almost as though we had been brother and sister would further this precious scheme is something that has me in a puzzle to this day! No, no, don’t rattle me off for calling you a gudgeon! Recollect that I did say it has me in a puzzle!”

“Ay, you’ve a soft tongue, and think to turn me up sweet with it!” growled his father.

“Alas, I know well I can’t!” said the Viscount ruefully. “But I wish you will tell me, sir, why you, who didn’t become riveted until you were past thirty, were so determined to see me leg-shackled before I had even attained my majority?”