Part 37 (1/2)

Then she added in a tone of triumph, ”And I've done it exactly the same ever since; it's done like it now!”

”Something must have upset me, for it looks perfectly ripping,” said the duke with warm conviction.

The d.u.c.h.ess felt herself blus.h.i.+ng under his admiring eyes, and disliked herself very much for doing so.

She rose hastily and said:

”I think I'll go into the garden.”

This time the duke let her go. He finished his cigar before he followed her. He found her walking up and down the cedar lawn; and when the moonlight fell on her face, he saw that it was troubled.

He fell into step beside her and said with enthusiasm:

”It's a ripping night.”

She said nothing; and they crossed the lawn and turned.

He said, again with enthusiasm:

”I do like this lawn. I first kissed you under that old tree.”

The d.u.c.h.ess started to leave the lawn with some speed.

The duke kept pace with her.

Half-way across the lawn he said in an affectionate tone:

”There's no need for you to fret about Marion, old girl. You can arrange it just as you like.”

Then deftly, he slipped his arm round her waist.