"Peerage? I should think so. The whole of Debrett and the Almanach de Gotha. Nobility and gentry, the Emperor of China and the North American Indians."
"That will suit Miss Skeat. She is always talking about the North American Indians. I think I know who it is."
"Of course you do, and now he is coming." There was a pause. "Vick, may I smoke?"
"Oh yes, if you like." His Grace lit a cigarette.
"Vick, I am afraid you have had a dreadfully stupid time of it on this trip. I am so sorry. Those people turned out rather differently from what I had expected." The Duke was fond of his sister, though she was much younger than he, and he began to reflect that she had been poorly provided for, as he had engaged Barker most of their time.
"Not at all. You know I am so fond of the sea and the open air, and I have enjoyed it all so much. Besides—"
"It is awfully good of you to say so, my dear, but I don't believe a word of it. 'Besides'—you were going to say something."
"Was I? Oh yes. Besides, you could not have had another man, you know, because it would have spoiled the table."
"No, but I was so selfish about Barker, because he can play cards, and Claudius would not, or could not."
"I am not sorry for that, exactly," said Lady Victoria. "You remember, we talked about him once. I do not like Mr. Barker very much."