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"I have been accustomed to be run after all my life," she continued, "so it does not amount to anything, a man making love to me. But he is beautiful, isn't he? Lord Luffton, I mean." "Yes, though he has the reputation of great fickleness. The Duke would probably make a better husband," I said. I felt I owed it to Lady Tilchester to do something towards advancing the cause.
"It does not seem to matter into what nation they marry, they seem to assimilate and fit into their places. When this little thing is a duchess, you will see she will fulfil the position to a tee. Berty will be very lucky if he secures her." "I think Lord Luffton will be a much greater stumbling-block than I shall," I laughed. "Perhaps he likes the idea of fifty thousand a year, too."
Before the party said good-night, the meanest observer could have told that things were going at sixes and sevens, no one doing exactly what was expected of them. Signs of disturbance showed as early as the few minutes before dinner. Lord Luffton was openly seeking the society of the heiress, with no regard to the blandishments of Lady Grenellen.
However, I mean to go through with it, although I am in a hideous position, because, you know, I am falling very deeply in love with you." "How inconvenient for you!" I said, smiling. "But please do not let that interfere with your prospects. You must attend to the subject of pleasing the heiress, as I see great signs of Lord Luffton cutting the ground from under your feet."
But by half-past eleven the clouds had spread all round. Augustus, perhaps, looked the most upset. He had spent an evening on thorns of jealousy. First, snubbed sharply by the fair Cordelia; then, having to witness her ineffectual attempts to detach Lord Luffton from Miss Trumpet. The Duke, while devoting himself to me, could not quite conceal his annoyance at the turn affairs were taking.
What happened I do not know, but when they joined us all in the hall again the heiress was with the Duke, Lord Luffton walked alone, while Augustus, once more beaming, was close to Lady Grenellen's side. So it is an ill wind that blows no one any good. Next day, after a delightful shooting-lunch and a brisk walk back, the heiress came to my room and talked to me.
"Now that is just what I wanted to ask you about. But if I took Lord Luffton, instead of the Duke, should I have to walk a long way behind at the Coronation next year?" "I am afraid you would," I said. She looked puzzled and undecided. "That is worrying me," she said. "As for the men themselves well, we don't think so much of them over in America as you do here.
She kept us all amused, and, whether Lady Grenellen would eventually permit it or no, Lord Luffton seemed immensely épris with her now. There was only one other girl at the table, Lady Agatha de Champion, and her slouching, stooping figure and fuzzled hair did not show to advantage beside the heiress's upright, rounded shape and well-brushed waves.
"If you could tell her anything especially splendid about her position at the Coronation next year, should she accept the Duke, I am sure it would have an effect." "Cordelia is behaving like a fool about it. She asked them here, and made all the arrangements, and now is absolutely uncivil to them." "How flattered Lord Luffton ought to be!" I laughed.
The beautiful young man, Lord Luffton, now engaged her in conversation, and as Lady Tilchester and I left the hall both he and the Duke were escorting Miss Trumpet to the dais no doubt to turn up the carpet and search for the traditional blood upon the steps. "They are the most wonderful nation," Lady Tilchester said, as she linked her arm in mine.
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