I would not ask her if the duke had taken a dislike to me, because I _knew_ he had. "I asked you to meet him on Saturday on purpose," she continued. "I felt sure your charm would impress him, as it had done me, and as it did my husband, but I wonder now if it would have been better to wait. He said after you were gone that you were much too beautiful for the peace of any family, and he pitied Mr. Carruthers if he married you. I don't mean to hurt you, child; I am only telling you everything, so that we may consult how best to act." "Yes, I know," I said, and I squeezed her hand again; she does not put out claws like Lady Ver. "How did he know anything about Mr. Carruthers"--I asked--"or me, or anything?" She looked ashamed. "One can never tell how he hears things. He was intensely interested to meet you, and seemed to be acquainted with more of the affair than I am. I almost fear he must obtain his information from the servants." "Oh, does not that show the housemaid in him? Poor fellow!" I said. "He can't help it, then, any more than I could help crying yesterday before Robert in the park. Of course we would neither of us have done these things if it were not for the _tache_ in our backgrounds, only, fortunately for me, mine wasn't a housemaid, and was one generation farther back, so I would not be likely to have any of those tricks." She leaned back in her chair and laughed. "You quaint, quaint child, Evangeline," she said. Just then it was twelve o'clock, and Robert came in. Oh, talk of hearts beating! If mine is going to go on jumping like this every time Robert enters a room, I shall get a disease in it in less than a year. He looked too intensely attractive. He was not in London clothes; just serge things, and a guard's tie, and his face was beaming, and his eyes shining like blue stars. We behaved nicely--he only kissed my hand, and Lady Merrenden looked away at the clock even for that. She has tact. "Isn't my Evangeline a darling, Aunt Sophia?" he said. "And don't you love her red hair?" "It is beautiful," said Lady Merrenden. "When you leave us alone I am going to pull it all down"; and he whispered, "Darling, I love you," so close that his lips touched my ear, while he pretended he was not doing anything. I say, again, Robert has ways that would charm a stone image. "How was Torquilstone last night?" Lady Merrenden asked, "and did you tell him anything?" "Not a word," said Robert. "I wanted to wait and consult you both which would be best. Shall I go to him at once, or shall he be made to meet my Evangeline again, and let her fascinate him, as she is bound to do, and then tell him?" "Oh, tell him straight!" I exclaimed, remembering his proclivities about the servants and that Veronique knows. "Then he cannot ever say we have deceived him." "That is how I feel," said Robert. "You take Evangeline to lunch, Aunt Sophia, and I will go back and feed with him, and tell him, and then come to you after."