Part 36 (1/2)

”Dear hostess,” he whispered in her ear, ”this sort of conversation is scarcely respectful to the bishop, even though he be a relative. You can let your young protege expound his marvelous views after dinner.”

The d.u.c.h.ess shrugged her ample shoulders.

”I wonder how it is,” she declared, a little peevishly, ”that directly one sets foot in the country, one seems to come face to face with the true Briton. What hypocrites we all are! We are broad enough to discuss any subject under the sun, in town, but we seem to shrink into something between the Philistine and the agricultural pedagogue, as soon as we sniff the air of the ploughed fields.”

She rose a little pettishly, and motioned to Rochester to take her place.

”Five minutes only,” she said. ”You will find us all over the place.

The cigarettes and cigars are in the hall. You can finish your wine here, and come out.”

”Is there anything particular,” Rochester asked grimly, ”that we are permitted to talk about?”

”With this crowd,” she whispered, ”if I forbid politics and agriculture, I don't think you'll last the five minutes.”

CHAPTER XXVII

THE ANSWER TO A RIDDLE

A few of the d.u.c.h.ess's guests left early--those who had to drive a long distance, and who had not yet discarded their carriage horses for motor-cars. Afterwards the party seemed to draw into a little circle, and it was then that the d.u.c.h.ess, rising to her feet, went over and talked earnestly for a few minutes with Saton.

”Some slight thing!” she begged. ”Anything to set these people wondering! Look at that old stick Henry Rochester, for instance. He believes nothing--doesn't want to believe anything. Give him a shock, do!”

”Can't you understand, d.u.c.h.ess,” Saton said, ”how much harm we do to ourselves by any exhibition of the sort you suggest? People are at once inclined to look upon the whole thing as a clever trick, and go about asking one another how it is done.”

The d.u.c.h.ess was disappointed, and inclined to be pettish. Saton realized it, and after a moment's hesitation prepared to temporize.

”If it would amuse you,” he said, ”and I can find anyone here to help me, I daresay we could manage some thought transference. All London seems to be going to see those two people at the Alhambra--or is it the Empire? You can see the same thing here, if you like.”

The d.u.c.h.ess beamed.

”That would be delightful,” she said. ”Whom would you like to help you?”

”Leave me alone for a minute or two,” Saton said. ”I will look around and choose somebody.”

The d.u.c.h.ess stepped back into the circle of her guests.

”Mr. Saton is going to entertain us in a very wonderful manner,” she announced.

Rochester, who had been on his way to the billiard room, came back.

”Let us stay and see the tricks,” he remarked to the bishop, who had been his companion.

The d.u.c.h.ess frowned. Saton shot a sudden glance at Rochester. A dull, angry color burned in his cheeks.

”Stay, by all means, Mr. Rochester,” he said. ”We may possibly be able to interest you.”

There was almost a challenge in his words. Rochester, ignoring them save for his slightly uplifted eyebrows, sat down by the side of Pauline.