"Ay, but 'twas strange," said old Sir Christopher. "I've thought and thought what could have come of him. Why, Clo, thou wast the one who saw him last. What dost thou think?"
In the park below there was a sudden sweet swelling of the music: the dancers had joined in with their voices.
"Yes," said the Duchess, "'twas I who saw him last." And for a few seconds all paused to listen to the melody in the air. But Sir Christopher came back to his theme.
"What sort of humour was the man in?" he asked. "Did he complain of 's lot?"
Her Grace hesitated a second, as one who thought, and then shook her head.
"No," she answered, and no other word.
"Did he speak of taking a journey?" said Lady Betty.
And the Duchess shook her head slow again, and answered as before, "No."
And the music swelled with fresh added voices, and floated up gayer and more sweet.
"Was he dressed for travel?" asked Lord Charles, he being likely to think first of the meaning of a man's dress.