Part 38 (1/2)

”I know perfectly well,” the Duke acknowledged, ”what a rotten bore I've been, and how sick of me you must be” He wrote on: ”I shall ask Mrs Falconer (her husband is in the States); she is quite alone in town at Lady Sorgham's” As he quoted this last name the Duke folded his list up He nodded affectionately at Jie perhaps to come doith Mrs Falconer on the Friday train?”

And Bulstrode capitulating weakly, s for the tree,” he offered

”Ripping!” his Grace nodded

Jimmy, on his way at last to London, stopped onceacross the forest when the duchess herself appeared to hi enveloping stole, her hat with fur on it, and a veil She was not in house or garden trim The urban air of her toilet was a surprise to Bulstrode, and he took in her readiness for so decisive

”It's good of you to co your time, Mr Bulstrode,” she said, ”and I wanted so ain?”

”Of course,” she replied nodding, ”again and many times But I mean I wanted to see you _here_” Bulstrode did not want her to tell him a piece of final news He did not care to learn of an arbitrary departure, and he said, laughing: ”Then you don't like my property?

Any repairs you?”

”Oh, I adore The Dials,” she said gravely, ”and I can't think why they ever let you buy it, or what you'll do with it after I'one” She smiled ” or hom” Before he could speak she added: ”Where isabout the house like a lost spirit,” Bulstrode replied ”Looking,” he went on, ”all about for so or other I expect he hi to cheer up the empty rooms”

”Oh, don't,” she murmured

But he seemed pleased with the picture he drew ”I doubt if Westboro'

stops in the house alone; he's probably gone out shooting”

”But he has a house full of people?”

”No one has co, after all”

”You don't mean to say that they've all refused!”

”Yes,” Jimmy said, ”every man of them, and all the women as well”

The duchess put out her hand quickly, and said touchingly: ”Oh, but you don't for a moment think----”

”That it's because of the scandal, dear lady?” he smiled ”Well, that would be a new phase No, I think on the other hand they would revel, and the only reason in the world that they have not come down is that they were really asked too late Christmas week, you know--

”And, of course, then, Mrs Falconer,” the duchess's face brightened

”She----”

”Oh, _she_!” Bulstrode exclaiood season”

”Oh!” accepted the duchess, ”and hom does she co expects to find more or less some one to help her bear up her end And I can't say how she will take the fact of only us two”