"Oh, but this is too absurd," protested the lady.
"The funny side wasn't exactly turned to us last night," said Peckover.
"I have," proceeded Lady Ormstork coolly, "told the duke he is making himself ridiculous."
"And how did he take it?" Gage inquired with considerable curiosity.
The lady shrugged. "It is hopeless to argue with that sort of person. And naturally dear Ulrica is, from every point of view, a girl whom even a duke would find it difficult to give up hopes of. But her father, a man of great discernment and determination would never hear of such an alliance. A foreign title does not appeal to him. So, my dear Lord Quorn, you need have no fears that Ulrica is in any danger of becoming Duchesse de Salolja."
This was pretty direct speaking. "It would be a pity," Gage agreed warily, "if Miss Buffkin should be coerced into a distasteful marriage."
"There is," replied Lady Ormstork resolutely, "no chance of that. I have told the duke so in unmistakable language. And I also gave him a piece of my mind with regard to his uncalled-for interference between Ulrica and yourself. He had the impudence to suggest that you were at his bidding ready to break off your understanding with Ulrica and relinquish her to him. To him! To a man whom she detests, I simply laughed at him, as I hoped you had laughed too."
Gage started up. "You didn't tell him I was engaged to Ul—to Miss Buffkin?" he gasped.
"Naturally I did," was the composed answer.
"But—but I'm not," he protested.