Julie turned round. She was always pale, and the Duchess saw nothing unusual.
"Am I so keen?"
"Julie, you have done everything in the world for this man since he came home."
"Well, he interested me," said Julie, stepping back to look at the effect of one of the vases. "The first evening he was here, he saved me from Lady Henry--twice. He's alone in the world, too, which attracts me. You see, I happen to know what it's like. An only son, and an orphan, and no family interest to push him--"
"So you thought you'd push him? Oh, Julie, you're a darling--but you're rather a wire-puller, aren't you?"
Julie smiled faintly.
"Well, perhaps I like to feel, sometimes, that I have a little power. I haven't much else."
The Duchess seized one of her hands and pressed it to her cheek.
"You have power, because every one loves and admires you. As for me, I would cut myself in little bits to please you.... Well, I only hope, when he's married his heiress, if he does marry her, they'll remember what they owe to you."
Did she feel the hand lying in her own shake? At any rate, it was brusquely withdrawn, and Julie walked to the end of the table to fetch some more flowers.