"I hope soon to have the pleasure of presenting her to you, madame," said the Prince, flushing still more. "I believe you will find her admirable."
"Perhaps," said the duchess, sceptically. "Is it really necessary that
I should meet her?"
"That, of course, will be as madame pleases. I thought you would naturally wish to meet the woman whom it is my intention to marry."
The duchess fairly jumped in her chair.
"To marry!" she cried. "To marry! What nonsense!"
"You will see," continued the Prince, calmly, "how unwise it was to begin the conversation in the presence of this—gentleman."
"No!" cried the duchess. "It was more than ever wise! Do you happen to know who this woman is?"
"I refuse to discuss my affairs further," said the Prince, "until we are alone."
"But do you know who she is? She has no dot! Perhaps you will say that is nothing, that you expected none, though it seems to me it is your duty to repair the fortunes of our house. But it is even worse than that—she is the daughter of an inn-keeper."
"I refuse to believe it," answered the Prince, quietly.