"I would like to discuss the political economy of this country with you, when I have been here six months."
"I hope you will not. And when you have been here six months you will be willing to pay a large sum rather than discuss it with any one."
And so they went up town, and Claudius watched everything with interest, and occasionally made a remark. Barker was obliged to go on, and he put Claudius out on the platform at the station nearest his hotel, and which was in fact at the same cross-street. As Claudius ascended the steps he was overtaken by the Duke, who was breathless with running.
"I—am afraid—it is too late," he panted; "come along," and he seized Claudius by the arm and dragged him to the corner of Fifth Avenue, before he could ask any questions.
"What is the matter?" asked the Doctor, looking about.
"He is gone," said the Duke, who had recovered his speech, "I knew he would, but I thought there was time. I was with a friend of mine, and I had just left him when I saw you, and as I have asked him to dinner I wanted to introduce you first. But he is always in such a hurry. Nowhere to be seen. Probably down town by this time." They turned back and went in. The Duke asked for the ladies. The Countess and her companion had gone to drive in the park, but Lady Victoria was upstairs.
"Vick, I am going to have a man to dinner—of course we will all dine together the first night ashore—a man you have heard me speak of; you will like him amazingly."
"Who is he?"
"He is the uncle of the whole human race."
"Including the peerage?" laughed Lady Victoria.