Part 15 (2/2)
”No: it was his. That's why he's sure to be disliking you very much for it.”
Pollyooly looked puzzled by this view of the working of the ducal mind.
”No: it wouldn't be any use at all,” said the Honourable John Ruffin decisively.
For the while Pollyooly accepted his decision. But she accepted it with deep reluctance, for she was nearly as disappointed as Millicent by this das.h.i.+ng of their hopes. Naturally in that disappointment the Bellingham Home grew more and more attractive as it receded into the distance. She did not cease to discuss it with Millicent; and it grew clearer and clearer to her that it was worth her while to make the attempt to procure the duke's a.s.sistance in the scheme.
”He may be disagreeable. But he won't bite,” she said in a somewhat contemptuous tone.
Accordingly a few mornings later she came to the Honourable John Ruffin with a very earnest face and said:
”Please, sir: I think after all I should like to go and ask the duke to put Millie into that home.”
”You do?” said the Honourable John Ruffin in a tone of surprise.
”Well, it's any odds that he'll refuse nastily.”
”Yes, sir: but I think I ought to try. It would be so nice for Millie.
Besides he won't bi--hurt me, sir,” said Pollyooly firmly.
”No, he won't bite you. Dukes don't. Well, after all, if you don't mind being rebuffed, it is worth trying,” said the Honourable John Ruffin.
”Yes, sir,” said Pollyooly eagerly, very pleased to find that he did not forbid her outright to make the attempt.
The Honourable John Ruffin gazed at her thoughtfully; then he said in his best judicial tone:
”Well, if you're going to have a shot at it, there are one or two things you'd better do to give yourself the best chance of success. In the first place you must try to catch him after lunch, about a quarter to three--he's in a good temper then. And when you do catch him, don't be too gentle with him. Gentleness is rather wasted on Osterley. Be civil, of course, and be sure to address him as 'Your Grace' all the time. But be firm. Give yourself a few airs. After all, you are undoubtedly as much a red Deeping as Lady Marion; and Osterley's great grandfather was a Manchester tradesman.”
”Yes, sir,” said Pollyooly, and her eyes began to s.h.i.+ne.
”And be sure to wear your prettiest frock,” the Honourable John Ruffin went on. ”I think your amber silk. Osterley, for all his cantankerousness, is as susceptible as the next duke.”
”Oh, yes, sir: I'll wear my amber silk of course. And do you think I'd better take Millie with me so that he can actually see what she's like?”
The Honourable John Ruffin hesitated, pondering the question. Then he said with decision:
”No. Go alone. I think you'll be more effective alone. It will make Osterley feel more helpless.”
”Very well, sir,” said Pollyooly cheerfully.
During the morning she discussed with the excited and sympathetic Millicent the coming interview. She had the advantage of going to it in utter fearlessness. She knew the duke: he had been at Ricksborough Court during ten days of her stay there; and she had seen something of him every day. Also there had been the second and more violent meeting in Piccadilly when he had picked her up and carried her off to Ricksborough House under the firm conviction that she was his lost daughter. As a result of these two meetings Pollyooly had made up her mind that the duke was not a man to be feared by women. Millicent admired her fearlessness greatly.
After their dinner Pollyooly put on her amber costume, a silk frock, a pretty hat, stockings and gloves, all amber in colour and all matching, gifts of Hilary Vance. Regarding her thus attired, Millicent's great admiration became an even greater awe.
”Why, you look the perfect lydy,” she said in a hushed voice.
”If I'm a red Deeping, I'm of the oldest blood in England, and I must be a lady. Mr. Ruffin says so,” said Pollyooly in the tone of one quite sure of herself.
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