“ Bien, monseigneur,” he replied without the smallest sign of surprise and bowed himself out.

The Marquis said impetuously: “I’ll make that fellow Hammond marry us, Mary, at once.”

“Very well,” said Miss Challoner equably.

“You will be married,” said his grace, “in Paris, at the Embassy.”

“But, sir — ”

“A little coffee, my lord?” said Miss Challoner.

“I never touch it. Sir — ”

“If his grace wishes you to married at the Embassy, my lord, I won’t be married anywhere else,” stated Miss Challoner calmly.

The Marquis said: “You won’t, eh? Sir, it’s very well, but it will cause a deal of talk.”

“I rather think that it will,” agreed Avon. “I had no time on my way through Paris to arrange the details. But I have no doubt that my friend Sir Giles will have done so by this time.”