"I am losing nothing, leaving no one, and I am gaining much."
The Duchess kissed her, and Lady Lyons moved forward a little. She had a vague idea she might be equally honoured, but was disappointed; however, there was the register signed by the Duke and Duchess, that would go down to posterity in connection with her son, and that was always a great deal.
As the small party left the church, they were met by Lady Penryn.
"Oh, you naughty girl!" she said, playfully. "You nice thing! where have you been all this time? Does she not look sweet?" appealing to the Duchess, who, passing on, took no notice of her.
She met with a cold reception from even Lady Lyons; but she was not to be daunted; laying a detaining hand on Grace's arm she said—
"The right thing for friends to know each other; the Duchess, my dear, introduce me."
"Let me introduce Mr. Lyons," said Grace, with much composure, and passed on to the carriage with Paul.
The discomfited lady received no comfort from her husband.
"If I had only known she was that sort of girl," she said, bitterly; "I always thought she was a nobody, and the Duchess gave her away!"
"Her father was most kind to my poor boy. I know nothing of his people, but he was a thorough gentleman. I never could understand why you would never take the slightest notice of the girl. However the thing's done now and cannot be mended."