"But what have they heard?"
"It seems that Roden isn't an Englishman at all."
"That will be as he likes, I take it. He has lived here as an Englishman for five-and-twenty years."
"But of course he'll prefer to be an Italian," said Vivian. "It turns out that he is heir to one of the oldest titles in Italy. You have heard of the Ducas di Crinola?"
"I have heard of them now."
"One of them is Minister of Education in the present Cabinet, and is likely to be the Premier. But he isn't the head of the family, and he isn't really the Duca di Crinola. He is called so, of course. But he isn't the head of the family. George Roden is the real Duca di Crinola. I thought there must be something special about the man when your sister took such a fancy to him."
"I always thought there was something special about him," said Hampstead; "otherwise I should hardly have liked him so well."
"So did I. He always seemed to be,—to me,—just one of ourselves, you know. A fellow doesn't come out like that unless he's somebody. You Radicals may say what you please, but silk purses don't get made out of sow's ears. Nobody stands up for blood less than I do; but, by George, it always shows itself. You wouldn't think Crocker was heir to a dukedom."
"Upon my word, I don't know. I have a great respect for Crocker."
"And now what's to be done?" asked Vivian.