The Duchess, watching her, said to herself, "Since I came in she is changed--quite changed."
"Julie, you're horribly proud!"
Julie's face contracted a little.
"How much 'power' should I have left, do you think--how much self-respect--if I took money from my friends?"
"Well, not money, perhaps. But, Julie, you know all about Freddie's London property. It's abominable how much he has. There are always a few houses he keeps in his own hands. If Lady Henry does quarrel with you, and we could lend you a little house--for a time--wouldn't you take it, Julie?"
Her voice had the coaxing inflections of a child. Julie hesitated.
"Only if the Duke himself offered it," she said, finally, with a brusque stiffening of her whole attitude.
The Duchess flushed and stood up.
"Oh, well, that's all right," she said, but no longer in the same voice. "Remember, I have your promise. Good-bye, Julie, you darling!... Oh, by-the-way, what an idiot I am! Here am I forgetting the chief thing I came about. Will you come with me to Lady Hubert to-night? Do! Freddie's away, and I hate going by myself."
"To Lady Hubert's?" said Julie, starting a little. "I wonder what Lady Henry would say?"