secrets were
underneath the velvet. Had this coat of yours been a perfect fit,
believe me I had not expected much from you of honour or of decency.
Oh! there I go on chattering again, and you have said scarcely twenty
words."

"Believe me, Madame la Duchesse, it is because I can find none good
enough to express my gratitude," said Count Victor, making for the door.

"Pooh! Monsieur Soi-disant, a fig for your gratitude! Would you have me
inhospitable to a guest who would save me even the trouble of opening my
door? And that, by the way, reminds me, monsieur, that you have not even
hinted at what you might be seeking his Grace for? Could it be--could it
be for a better fit in coats?"

"For a mere trifle, madame, no more than my sword."

"Your sword, monsieur? I know nothing of Monsieur Soi-disant's sword,
but I think I know where is one might serve his purpose."

With these words she went out of the room, hurried along the corridor,
and returned in a moment or two with Count Victor's weapon, which she
dragged back by its belt as if she loathed an actual contact with the
thing itself.

"There!" she said, affecting a shudder. "A mouse and a rapier, they are
my bitterest horrors. If you could only guess what a coward I am! Good
night, monsieur, and I hope--I hope"--she laughed as she hung on the
wish a moment--"I hope you will meet his Grace on the way. If so, you
may tell him 'tis rather inclement weather for the night air--at
his age," and she laughed again. "If you do not see him--as is
possible--come back soon; look! my door bids you in your own
language--_Revenez bientot_. I am sure he will be charmed to see you,
and to make his delight the more I shall never mention you were here
tonight."

She went along the lobby and looked down the stair to see that the way
was clear; came back and offered her hand.

"Madame la Duchesse, you are very magnanimous," he said, exceedingly
grateful.

"Imprudent, rather," she corrected him.

"Magnanimity and Prudence are cousins who, praise _le bon Dieu!_ never
speak to each other, and the world is very much better for it." He
pointed to the motto on the panel. "I may never come back, madame," said
he, "but at least I shall never forget."

"_Au plaisir de vous revoir_, Monsieur Soi-disant," she said in
conclusion, and went into her room and closed the door.

"Now there's a darling!" said the Duchess as she heard his footsteps
softly departing. "Archie was just such anothe