The Duke admired her courage, but regretted her persistency. He could not, without roughness, disengage himself from her grasp; but he could lift her into the car with him. He did. She gave a scream. “Full steam ahead!” cried the Duke. With a turn of Monsieur Ferdinand’s handles they were off! Just in time! Monsieur Alphonse, on the back seat, felt Anderson’s hand clutch his coat collar just as they started. Fortunately Frank had taken occasion to drop a waterproof rug over the number of the car at the back. “Stop, stop, stop, I say!” cried Angela. “I regret it deeply, but for the moment I’m not in a position to oblige you, madam,” said the Duke, as he wedged her in safely between himself and Monsieur Ferdinand, on the roomy front seat. “The local police are otherwise occupied--you need not exercise excessive caution, Ferdinand,” he remarked to the chauffeur. Ferdinand obeyed his injunctions. Nothing more passed for some minutes. They were, in fact, all very much out of breath--except Ferdinand, and he had enough to do with his own work. At last, however, Angela gasped: “Anyhow, the air is delicious!” The Duke was gratified and encouraged. “I’m so glad you’re enjoying the drive,” said he. “Please don’t speak to me.” “I fell into the error of supposing that you addressed me, madam.” “What does it all mean?” she said--for it was impossible for her not now to perceive that she was dealing with a gentleman. The Duke replied with some warmth. “It means, madam, simply that I claim, and intend, to exercise an Englishman’s right to occupy or, if you will, to amuse himself in his own way within the limits of the law; and that I will not be interfered with or harried by policemen and so forth while I’m so engaged. Do I do any harm to anybody? It’s preposterous.” “I suppose you’re mad really,” she said thoughtfully. “Then let’s be mad together for just a little while,” he suggested. “Come now, you’re finding this enjoyable?” “What will Willie be feeling--and thinking?” She gave a light laugh. “Oh, I’m glad mamma’s gone to bed!” she added the next moment. “She is beginning to enjoy herself,” the Duke decided. “You will take me back?” The Duke looked at his watch. “You shall be at the vicarage not later than half-past ten.” “Oh, but that’s very late!” “Earlier, if you wish, but in no case later. After all, Mrs Hordern has gone to bed--and Captain Anderson is probably very busy.” Angela looked at him; her eyes twinkled a little--or maybe that was only an impression of the Duke’s. “I’ve always heard that it’s dangerous to thwart mad people,” she said.