“No,” I said, “they fidget me. I really admire them and I never in all my life believed that so many clever people could be got together in one place. But--that is it--they are not my own sort.” “No, they are not, and I have a plan to propose to you, that I think might be carried out now that your brother is so much better. I have a number of friends at another lake about ten miles from here. They are very different from these--far more like what you have been used to. They belong to one of the worldly sets in New York, and, while they are quite as clever as our friends here, cleverness is not their métier and they are not so self-conscious about it. They bought Chipmunk Lake and built cottages there that they might go into camp whenever they felt that they needed rest more than Europe or Newport--Should you like to visit there?” “Yes, but how?” “I should have said that my married sister is there and that I have written to her about you. She would be delighted if you would pay her a visit. Of course Lady Agatha will go with you, and the Duke can transfer himself to the Club House for a time.” “He is there always, anyhow,” I said, and I suspect I pouted. At all events he smiled sympathetically and said, “I am afraid you have learned already something of the selfishness and ingratitude of man.” “It is a good preparation for matrimony,” I remarked drily. “Are you contemplating matrimony?” It is interesting rather to bring some colour into the face of an American. “I am always afraid I might marry some time when I am unusually bored.” “It is not so great a risk to bore you, then?” “Oh, I mean by Circumstances. I should expect the man to descend suddenly into them with the wings of an archangel and bear me off.” “Are you very much bored here? Have I come too soon?” “I never have enjoyed myself so much.” “Nevertheless you are not averse to a change.” “Oh, as my time is short in the United States and as human nature is the most interesting study in the world, I want to meet as many of your interesting types as possible.” “Your stay may be longer than you think. Soulé says that the Duke must not think of leaving the Adirondacks for two years.” He had me at last. “Two years!” I gasped. “Must we stay up here for two years?” The place has lost some of its charm since these people came. “Not here, for you would be snowed in in winter and uncomfortable in every way. I have suggested to the Duke that he endeavour at once to lease a house at Lake Placid. There you would be close to an express train to New York--which you could visit frequently--and undoubtedly could find a house with golf links, tennis court, etc., to say nothing of good trails where you could have daily rides. I know you are longing to be on a horse again.” “Oh, I am! How did you guess it? That does not sound so hopeless. I suppose our friends would visit us occasionally.” “I can assert positively that some of them would come as often as they were asked.”