"I don't think so," said the girl, with the air of one who was considering a problem which did not affect her. "I couldn't fall in love with any man that wasn't a gentleman. And you are one?"

"I hope so."

"That is why I like you. You are a gentleman, you are good-looking and rich; while I----"

"You!" It was scarcely an interruption, for the girl paused, as in curious contemplation of what might follow.

"You! You are fit to be a queen."

"I am a duchess, remember," said the girl, with an arch smile, which became graver with the words--"I wonder why they called me so?"

"Because they saw you were above them, and better than they."

"Why should they have seen that? What made them see it? I could hardly speak at the time, and I don't even remember it."

"Nor anything about yourself before you were brought to Rosemary Lane?" inquired the man anxiously.

"No; nothing that does not seem like a dream."