all do."

I would not ask her if the duke had taken a dislike to me, because I
_knew_ he had.

"I asked you to meet him on Saturday on purpose," she continued. "I felt
sure your charm would impress him, as it had done me, and as it did my
husband, but I wonder now if it would have been better to wait. He said
after you were gone that you were much too beautiful for the peace of any
family, and he pitied Mr. Carruthers if he married you. I don't mean to
hurt you, child; I am only telling you everything, so that we may consult
how best to act."

"Yes, I know," I said, and I squeezed her hand again; she does not put out
claws like Lady Ver.

"How did he know anything about Mr. Carruthers"--I asked--"or me, or
anything?" She looked ashamed.

"One can never tell how he hears things. He was intensely interested to
meet you, and seemed to be acquainted with more of the affair than I am. I
almost fear he must obtain his information from the servants."

"Oh, does not that show the housemaid in him? Poor fellow!" I said. "He
can't help it, then, any more than I could help crying yesterday before
Robert in the park. Of course we would neither of us have done these
things if it were not for the _tache_ in our backgrounds, only,
fortunately for me, mine wasn't a housemaid, and was one generation
farther back, so I would not be likely to have any of those tricks."

She leaned back in her chair and laughed. "You quaint, quaint child,
Evangeline," she said.

Just then it was twelve o'clock, and Robert came in.

Oh, talk of hearts beating! If mine is going to go on jumping like this
every time Robert enters a room, I shall get a disease in it in less than
a year.

He looked too intensely attractive. He was not in London clothes; just
serge things, and a guard's tie, and his face was beaming, and his eyes
shining like blue stars.

We behaved nicely--he only kissed my hand, and Lady Merrenden looked away
at the clock even for that. She has tact.

"Isn't my Evangeline a darling, Aunt Sophia?" he said. "And don't you love
her red hair?"

"It is beautiful," said Lady Merrenden.

"When you leave us alone I am going to pull it all down"; and he
whispered, "Darling, I love you," so close that his lips touched my ear,
while he pretended he was not doing anything. I say, again, Robert has
ways that would charm a stone image.

"How was Torquilstone last night?" Lady Merrenden asked, "and did you tell
him anything?"

"Not a w