Before the Duke could deny the right of entry, the door opened and a woman entered. A tall woman, and a young and a lovely one. When she perceived Messrs. Ruby and Golden she cast an enquiring look in the direction of the Duke. "Are you engaged?"
The Duke was eyeing her with a somewhat curious expression of countenance. "I believe you know these gentlemen?"
"Do I? I ought to know them perhaps, but I'm afraid I don't."
Mr. Ruby was all affability and bows, and smiles and rubbings of hands.
"I have not had the honour of seeing the lady upon a previous occasion."
The Duke of Datchet stared. "You have not had the honour? Then what--what the dickens do you mean? This is the Duchess!"
"The Duchess!" cried Messrs. Ruby and Golden.
"Certainly--the Duchess of Datchet."
Messrs. Ruby and Golden looked blue. They looked more than blue--they looked several colours of the rainbow all at once. They stared as though they could not believe the evidence of their eyes and ears. The Duke turned to the Duchess. He opened the door for her.
"Duchess, will you excuse me for a moment? I have something which I particularly wish to say to these gentlemen."