'I should rather be inclined to put it,' Sir Rupert said, 'that if there is any truth in the rumours one reads about, he is going to try to save his Republic. But why not ask him, Duchess?'
'He might think it so rude and presuming,' the pretty Duchess objected.
'No, no; he is much too gallant a gentleman to think anything you do could be rude and presuming.'
'Then I'll ask him right away,' the Duchess said encouraged. 'Only I can't catch his eye—he is absorbed in your daughter, and a very odd sort of man he would be if he were not absorbed in her.'
'You look at him long enough and keenly enough, and he will be sure very soon to feel that your eyes are on him.'
'You believe in that theory of eyes commanding eyes?'
'Well, I have noticed that it generally works out correctly.'
'But Miss Langley has such divine eyes, and she is commanding him now. I fear I may as well give up. Oh!' For at that moment Ericson, at a word from Helena, who saw that the Duchess was gazing at them, suddenly looked up and caught the beaming eyes of the pretty and sprightly young American woman who had become the wife of a great English Duke.
'The Duchess wants to ask you a question,' Sir Rupert said to Ericson, 'and she hopes you won't think her rude or presuming. I have ventured to say that I am sure you will not think her anything of the kind.'
'You can always speak for me, Sir Rupert, and never with more certainty than just now, and to the Duchess.'