"Hem! Well, perhaps it's jollier when you are here. It's been dull enough without you, any way. As I said, we have missed you very much, young man."
"'We'? Meaning you and Grey?" said Yorke, standing at the window and watching the opposite ones anxiously.
The duke smiled grimly.
"Well, I dare say Grey has missed you; but I was thinking, when I spoke, of—Miss Lisle."
"Oh, Miss Lisle," said Yorke, flushing like a schoolgirl. "I—I hope she is all right."
"Yes, I think so. The fact is, I have not seen very much of her since yesterday morning, when in the course of conversation I ventured to hint that your grace——."
Yorke started.
"Your grace was not quite perfect."
Yorke laughed uneasily, and kept his back carefully turned to the duke.