"Oh, confound you, is not a betrothal enough for one day? Are we not agreed that there is something terrible about that word marriage?"
His brows rose. "So! I am well content. Play the game out, amuse yourself with this so gallant colonel; in the end you will marry me."
A gleam shot into her eyes. "A bet! What will you stake - gamester?"
"Nothing! It is sure, and there is no sport in it, therefore."
The music came to an end; Barbara stood free, smiling and dangerous. "I thank you, Etienne! If you knew the cross humour I was in! Now! Oh, it is entirely finished!" She turned upon her heel; her gaze swept the room, and found Colonel Audley. She crossed the floor towards him, her draperies hushing about her feet as she walked.
"That's a grand creature!" suddenly remarked Wellington, his attention caught. "Who is she, Duchess?"
The Duchess of Richmond glanced over her shoulder. "Barbara Childe," she answered. "She is a granddaughter of the Duke of Avon."
"Barbara Childe, is she? So that's the prize that lucky young dog of mine has won! I must be off to offer my congratulations!" He left her side as he spoke, and made his wayy to where Colonel Audley and Barbara were standing.
His congratulations, delivered with blunt heartiness, were perfectly well received by the lady. She shook hands, and met that piercing eagle stare with a look of candour, and her most enchanting smile. The Duke stayed talking to her until the quadrille was forming, but as soon as he saw the couples taking up their positions, he said briskly: "You must take your places, or you will be too late. No need to ask whether you dance the quadrille, Lady Barbara! As for this fellow, Audley, I'll engage for it he won't disgrace you."
He waved them on to the floor, called a chaffing word to young Lennox on the subject of his celebrated pas de zephyr, and stood back to watch the dance for a few minutes. Lady Worth, only a few paces distant, thought it must surely be impossible for anyone to look more carefree than his lordship. He was smiling, nodding to acquaintances, evidently enjoying himself. She watched him, wondering at him a little, and presently, as though aware of her gaze, he turned his head, recognised her, and said: "Oh, how d'ye do? A pretty sight, isn't it?"