She seated herself, and Montresor beside her.
"I am told," said Montresor, "that this horror will not only affect Delafield personally, but that he will regard the dukedom as a calamity."
"Hm!--and you believe it?" said Lady Henry.
"I try to," was the Minister's laughing reply. "Ah, surely, here they are!"
Meredith turned from the window, to which he had gone back.
"The carriage has just arrived," he announced, and he stood fidgeting, standing first on one foot, then on the other, and running his hand through his mane of gray hair. His large features were pale, and any close observer would have detected the quiver of emotion.
A sound of voices from the anteroom, the Duchess's light tones floating to the top. At the same time a door on the other side of the drawing-room opened and the Duke of Crowborough appeared.
"I think I hear my wife," he said, as he greeted Montresor and hurriedly crossed the room.
There was a rustle of quick steps, and the little Duchess entered.
"Freddie, here is Julie!"