“That would be delightful,” she said. “Whom would you like to help you?”
“Leave me alone for a minute or two,” Saton said. “I will look around and choose somebody.”
The Duchess stepped back into the circle of her guests.
“Mr. Saton is going to entertain us in a very wonderful manner,” she announced.
Rochester, who had been on his way to the billiard room, came back.
“Let us stay and see the tricks,” he remarked to the bishop, who had been his companion.
The Duchess frowned. Saton shot a sudden glance at Rochester. A dull, angry color burned in his cheeks.
“Stay, by all means, Mr. Rochester,” he said. “We may possibly be able to interest you.”
There was almost a challenge in his words. Rochester, ignoring them save for his slightly uplifted eyebrows, sat down by the side of Pauline.
“The fellow’s cheek is consummate!” he muttered.