She learned as much comparatively of the general world of society in that one week, as she had learned of the nature of man in her three days with Lord Algy. He was her first step--these women were her second. Lady Garribardine was her head master, and Gerard Strobridge should be her tutor--when the moment she was ready for him came. Her suspicions as to her employer's disapproval of the Duchess of Dashington were realised fully one day, in the beginning of the week. The poor young-old lady's rheumatism was very painful, and she remained in her room having her favourite nephew and Mrs. Delemar up with her there to lunch, on a little table close to her gilt bed. Katherine was writing at an escritoire near, having finished her own meal downstairs. "You need not go, Miss Bush, if you can continue those invitations with our chatter." So Katherine stayed. The three talked of many things at first and Katherine hardly noticed them, but presently her attention was caught by a name. Mr. Strobridge was saying: "Seraphim, it will be very difficult to refuse Dulcie Dashington, she has written to Beatrice this morning--she is quite determined to play the part of Nell Gwyn as the orange-girl." "Then she can play it in some other _tableaux vivants_--but not in these that I am arranging." Her Ladyship's voice was acid. "But why, dearest Sarah, are you so down on poor Dulcie?" Mrs. Delemar protested. "She is really a very good sort, and looks so splendid in these short-skirted, rather common clothes." "I am not hard on her, Läo; I am sure, had she been the wife of a jolly young stockbroker addicted to low practical jokes and rowdy sport, she would have been a most admirable creature. It is not the woman I am down on; there is just such another at Blissington, she helps me with the bazaars and the school treats, her husband is a local brewer, and we are capital friends. It is the Duchess of Dashington I ostracise, as I consider she has done more to degrade her order in these socialistic days than any other member of our sadly humbled peerage." The other two laughed amusedly, but Lady Garribardine went on, raising her voice a little. It was a subject upon which she felt so deeply, that it overcame for the moment her usual dryly humorous handling of any matter. "Let her have her lovers--we have all had lovers--No one in the least objects to them, arranged suitably, and of one's own class. I am not concerned with her or any other woman's physical morality.--Such morality is a question of temperament and geography and custom--but I am profoundly concerned to endeavour to keep up some semblance of dignity in the aristocracy, and Dulcie Dashington has lowered the whole prestige of Duchesses because she is of gentle birth--though Heaven knows what her father was with poor dear Susan's irresponsible ways!" Gerard Strobridge smiled as he lit a cigarette.