"I nearly upset the boat," he says, as if to account for his change of countenance.
"It did not matter," she says. "We were on the sands. Yes, I will tell my father, and—thank you very much."
If the duke expected her to be overwhelmed by the announcement of the title he is doomed to disappointment. The first sensation of surprise over, Leslie is as calm and self-possessed as before.
"Good-night," she says, in her sweet, low voice, and a moment afterward the door of Sea View is closed upon her.
The duke looked at his cousin's downcast face with a whimsical smile.
"How well she took it!" he said. "A London girl of the most accomplished type could not have concealed her flutters with greater ease."
"She had nothing to conceal," said Yorke, with averted eyes. "It didn't matter to her that—that you called me a duke. Why should it?"
"Why should it! My dear Yorke, you have grown simple during your moonlight sail. Oh, she was confused and flustered, believe me; but all her sex are actresses from the cradle. Give me your hand, and let us go in."
Yorke helped him up the stairs and into his chair, then stood gazing moodily out of the window.
"Your outing seems to have made you melancholy, Yorke," said the duke. "And yet you looked as if you enjoyed it just now."