"You cannot be secretary to a rising politician," said Patricia with a smile, "without learning a lot of statistics. I have to read up all sorts of things about pigs and babies and beet-root and street-noises and all sorts of objectionable things." "What do you think of her, Goddy?" cried Lady Peggy to Elton as he joined them. "I'm afraid she has made me feel very ignorant," replied Elton. "Just as you, Peggy, always make me feel very wise." In the drawing-room the Serbian attached himself to Patricia and produced his "map of obliteration," as the Duke had once called it, explaining to her at great length how nearly all the towns and cities in Europe were for the most part populated by Serbs. It was obvious to her, from the respect with which she was treated, that her remarks at luncheon had made a great impression. When most of the other guests had departed, the Duke walked over to her, and dismissing Peggy, entered into a long conversation on political and parliamentary matters. He was finally interrupted by Lady Peggy. "Look here, Daddy, if you steal my friends I shall----" she paused, then turning to Elton she said, "What shall I do, Goddy?" "Well, you might marry and leave him," suggested Elton helpfully. "That's it. I will marry and leave you all alone, Daddy." "Cannot we agree to share Miss Brent?" suggested the Duke, smiling at Patricia. "Isn't he a dear?" enquired Lady Peggy of Patricia. "When other men propose to me, and quite a lot have," she added with almost childish simplicity, "I always mentally compare them with Daddy, and then of course I know I don't want them." "That is my one reason, Peggy, for not proposing," said Elton. "I could never enter the lists with the Duke." "You're a pair of ridiculous children," laughed the Duke. In response to a murmur from Patricia that she must be going, Lady Peggy insisted that she should first come upstairs and see her den. The "den" was a room of orderly disorder, which seemed to possess the freshness and charm of its owner. Lady Peggy looked at Patricia, a new respect in her eyes. "You must be frightfully clever," she said with accustomed seriousness. "I wish I were like that. You see I should be more of a companion to Daddy if I were." "I think you are an ideal companion for him you are," said Patricia. "Oh! he's so wonderful," said Lady Peggy dreamily. "You know I'm not always such a fool I appear," she added quite seriously, "and I do sometimes think of other things than frills and flounces and chocolates." Then with a sudden change of mood she cried, "Wasn't it clever of me capturing you to-day? As soon as you're alone Daddy will tell me what he thinks of you, and I shall feel so self-important." As Patricia looked about the room, charmed with its dainty freshness, her eyes lighted upon a large metal tea-tray. Lady Peggy following her gaze cried: "Oh, the magic carpet!" "The what?" enquired Patricia.