"Where?" inquired Barnabas, glancing up hastily.
"Ssh! behind us—on the other side of the hedge—clever minx!"
"Why then—"
"Sit still, sir—hush, I say!"
"So that is the reason," said Cleone's clear voice, speaking within a yard of them, "that is why you dislike Mr. Beverley?"
"Yes, and because of his presumption!" said a second voice, at the sound of which Barnabas flushed and started angrily, whereupon the Duchess instantly hooked him by the buttonhole again.
"His presumption in what, Mr. Chichester?"
"In his determined pursuit of you."
"Is he in pursuit of me?"
"Cleone—you know he is!"