"Lord Ronald," Andrew said, "is the brother of my old friend, and he is, of course, above suspicion, but Lord Ronald appears to have left you somewhat abruptly, I might almost say mysteriously."
"He was here for some time," the Princess said, "and he is coming back."
"In the meantime," Andrew continued, "he appears to have vanished from the face of the earth."
The Princess turned away carelessly.
"That," she said, "is scarcely our affair. I have not the slightest doubt but that he will turn up again."
"If it should turn out that I am mistaken," Andrew said stiffly, "I should be glad to ask your pardons, but from my present information I can only say I do not care to extend the hospitality of my house to Major Forrest, nor do I consider him a fit associate, madam, for you and your step-daughter."
"May I ask," the Princess inquired, "who Major Forrest's traducers have been?"
"My information," Andrew answered, "comes from the Duke of Westerham. I have every reason to believe that the case against him has been understated."
"The Duke," Cecil declared, "is a pig-headed old fool!"
Andrew shrugged his shoulders.