"Yes; I have seen the Duke!"
"And he--and he----" her voice died away under stress of emotion.
"He will help you!"
Leah's first feeling was one of relief, and she was almost on the point of expressing gratitude, but a sudden remembrance that aid from the Duke meant the retention of Jim as a most undesirable husband, cooled the warm impulse. She recovered her self-command, and was about to go into figures, when Mrs. Penworthy with a noisy party bustled into the room, looking rather tousled and flushed.
"We have been playing 'Hunt the Slipper,'" she announced, in her high, thin voice, "and Algy found mine three times."
Lady Jim, annoyed at the irruption, glanced at Mrs. Penworthy's feet, which could scarcely have worn the slippers of Cinderella. "I can quite believe that," she said sweetly, and left the room smiling.
"What does she mean?" asked Algy, obtusely.
Mrs. Penworthy knew perfectly well what was meant, but was too feminine to explain, save in a way calculated to mislead her courtier. This could be done by arousing his egotism.
"She means that you are clever to play the game so well," was her explanation. "I rather think Lady Jim admires you, Algy."
The youth fondled what he called a moustache. "Rippin' woman, Lady Jim," said he, taking the speech literally.