But she handed it back to him. “No, you must do it.”
Pats tore open the envelope. Elinor stepped nearer and stood beside him, that she also might read.
“It is in French.” Then he began
“Monsieur le Duc–”
“Why, the old gentleman was a duke!” exclaimed Elinor.
“I am not surprised. You know we always suspected him of being a howling swell. But this writing and the language are too much for me. You really must read it.” And he put the paper in her hands.
Elinor’s French was perfect, but after the first sentence Pats interrupted:
“Translate as you go along. It is too important to take chances with, and I never was at home in that deceitful tongue.”
177Elinor dropped into the chair that stood beside her. Pats sat upon the edge of the table.
Monsieur Le Duc: