"Oh, hell!" growled the honorable viscount with excessive force.
She smiled serenely. "You will get him away, I know. He's such a boy. You'll do that for me, won't you, Hal?"
"His grace's car," announced the butler, quietly. And the duke started up, loquaciously, as usual.
"I say, we must be getting on. Good-by, old man! I have enjoyed myself. Good-by, Lady Bellingdown! Come, Doody! Good-by, Lady Grey! Come, Doody! Good-by, Wally! Good-by, Nibbetts! Good-by! Good-by! Good-by! I say, Doody, we must be getting on."
For answer to Nina's question, Kneedrock turned on his heel and strolled after the departing duke and duchess.
Later the viscount came upon Carleigh in the smoking-room.
"I'm glad of this," he said, taking a chair near him. "I want to talk with you. I suppose you've said good-by to Mrs. Darling."
Sir Caryll was looking white and disturbed. "I didn't see her," he returned a little thickly. "I'd no idea she was leaving so soon."
"That's her way," Kneedrock made clear. "It isn't polite, or kind, or considerate. But it's her way. I don't know why others put up with it, I'm sure. It's enough that I know why I do."