“Mr. Gray,” said the Duchessa suddenly.
“My name,” said Antony respectfully, “is Michael Field.”
The Duchessa gave a little shaky laugh.
“Well, Michael Field,” she said. “I was not very kind that day I met you on the moorland.”
Antony kept his eyes fixed on his plate.
“There was no reason that you should be kind,” he replied quietly.
“There was,” flashed the Duchessa.
“I think not,” replied Antony, calmly. “Ladies in your position are under no obligation to be kind to servants, except to those of their own household. Even then, it is more or less of a condescension on their part.”
“You were not always a servant,” said the Duchessa.
There was the fraction of a pause.