'I am sorry you should be disappointed,' Helena said, laughing, 'but perhaps we shall be able to make amends for the disappointment another day. Papa called upon him this morning.'
Sir Rupert, sitting opposite his daughter, smiled at this. 'Did I really?' he asked. 'I was not aware of it.'
'Oh, yes, you did, papa; or, at least, I did for you.'
Sir Rupert's face wore a comic expression of despair. 'Helena, Helena, why?'
'Because he is one of the most interesting men existing.'
'And because he is down on his luck, too,' said the Duchess. 'I guess that always appeals to you.' The beautiful American girl had not shaken off all the expressions of her fatherland.
'But, I say,' said Selwyn, who seemed to think that the subject called for statesmanlike comment, 'how will it do for a pillar of the Government to be extending the hand of fellowship——'
'To a defeated man,' interrupted Helena. 'Oh, that won't matter one bit. The affairs of Gloria are hardly likely to be a grave international question for us, and in the meantime it is only showing a courtesy to a man who is at once an Englishman and a stranger.'
A slightly ironical 'Hear, Hear,' came from Soame Rivers, who did not love enthusiasm.
Sir Rupert followed suit good-humouredly.