Oh, we must have the Atrocities, the Duchess
echoed.
Jones said no one was allowed to visit the
house.
In short, of just exactly whats been happening to
me.
Yes; and you didnt try to force yourway in
either?
And there was hislordship before, the sixteenth
Viscount. Yes; and you didnt try to force yourway in either? He emptied his glass
and cleared his throat; but before he could speakshe held up a silencing
hand.
She lookedmusingly at Durands pink troubled
face.
Its as if thehouse had been too empty even then,
Lady Jane murmured.
Isaw that the curry was too strong for you, this
young lady insinuatinglydeclared.
And there was hislordship before, the sixteenth
Viscount.
Perhaps she wasvery fond of him, and this was
painted when she was an inconsolablewidow.
Professor Durand blushed to the roots of his hair.
Hed know you, mylady; but you wouldnt know HIM.
They were lucky, all these absentees,to have some
one to watch over their interests so faithfully.
At the office desk sat a lady with eye-glasses on a
sharp nose. Clemmsround face just inside the door, like a red apple on a garden
wall.
Hes between life and death, as it were,
Mrs.
Mostly by clever marriages,Lady Jane thought with a
faint contempt.
Tea over, they moved on to inspect the
house.
Lady Beausedges countenance was dark with rage.
Clemm interjected, as if resentful ofthe comparison. Jones, their hostess
intervened, catching their last words as she movedtoward the piano.