24

 “We’ve got the box for Mandalay to-night at the Gaiety, and let’s motor in.” 

 Only Lady Galorey hesitated, disappointed. 

 “Too bad—I had specially arranged for Lady Grandcourt to drive over with Eileen. I thought it would be a ripping chance for her to see Dan.” 

 When at length the duchess had succeeded in getting Dan to herself toward the end of the day in the red room, after tea, she said: 

 “So you won’t marry a London beauty?” 

 And rather coldly Dan had answered: 

 “Why, you talk, all of you, as if I had only to ask any girl of them, and she would jump down my throat.” 25 

25

 “Don’t try it,” the duchess answered, “unless you want to have your mouth full!” 

 Dan did not reply for a second, but he looked at her more seriously, conscious of her grace and her good looks. She was certainly better to look at than the simple girls with their big hands, small wits, long faces, and, as the boy expressed it, “utter lack of get-up.” The duchess shone out to advantage. 

 “Why don’t you talk to me?” she asked softly. “You know you would rather talk to me than the others.” 

 “Yes,” he said frankly; “they make me nervous.” 

 “And I don’t?” 

 “No,” he said. “I learn a lot every time we are together.” 

 “Learn?” she repeated, not particularly flattered by this. “What sort of things?” 

 “Oh, about the whole business,” he returned vaguely. “You know what I mean.” 

 “Then,” she said with a slight laugh, “you 26 mean to say you talk with me for educational purposes? What a beastly bore!” 

26

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