"Oh, of course, marraine."
"We both need a change, and between ourselves, Julia has a little mission on foot."
Tremont would be delighted to help Miss Redmond carry it out. Whom else should he ask?
"By all means, any one you like," said his godmother diplomatically. "We want to sail the day after to-morrow." She felt safe, knowing that no worldly people would accept an invitation on twenty-four hours' notice.
"So," the Duc de Tremont reflected, as he hung up the receiver, "Miss Redmond has a scheme, a mission! Young girls do not have schemes and missions in good French society."
"Mademoiselle," he said to her, as they walked up and down on the deck in the pale sunset, in front of the chair of the Marquise d'Esclignac, "I never saw an ornament more becoming to a woman than the one you wear."
"The ornament, Monsieur?"
"On your sleeve. It is so beautiful. A string of pearls would not be more beautiful, although your pearls are lovely, too. Are all American girls Red Cross members?"
"But of course not, Monsieur. Are all girls anywhere one thing?"
"Yes," said the Duc de Tremont, "they are all charming, but there are gradations."