She thought that she might be asleep, so she moved, very quietly, a chair forward near the window and, sitting down, waited. The only sound in all the world was the steady splash--splash--splash of the fountain below, the only movement the stealthy creeping of the long shadows, flung by white boulder clouds, across the shining fields. Suddenly, without turning her head, the Duchess spoke. "Very good of you, Rachel. I hoped that you would come." Her voice was weak, her words indistinct as though she were speaking through muffled shawls, but, nevertheless, behind them the presence of the old dominating will was to be discerned, but now it was a will quiescent, struggling no longer for power. "I would have come before if you had sent for me. I'm so glad that you did." "I can't talk for very long, my dear, and I don't suppose that you want to spend hours in my company any more than you've ever done. No, you needn't protest. We're neither of us here for compliments.... But there's something that I must say to you. Christopher allows me half an hour." "I hope you're better--that being here has done you good." "Better? Nonsense. I don't want to be better. That's all over and done with. I had another stroke three days ago and the next one will finish me. So don't pretend. You used to be honest enough. I've asked you to come because I want to speak to you about Roddy." "He wrote," Rachel said. "Yes. I got his letter. I couldn't reply. I can't write myself and I won't have anyone else do it for me. Besides, there was nothing to write about. He said he was sorry about that little conversation we all had together the other day." "And I--" Rachel began eagerly, "I was so sorry. I've been longing to tell you--it was all wrong, but Roddy has no imagination. He didn't realize in the least----" "Ah, my dear. I expect I know Roddy a great deal better than you do. He'll do the same sort of thing to you, one day. He's got the devil in him and will always have it, however much you coddle him or let him lie there thinking over his sins. Do you suppose I'd have been so fond of Roddy all these years if I hadn't known him capable of such little revenges? I liked it. There was no need to write to me and he knew it--but I'm afraid you influence him a good deal." Rachel coloured. "I hope----" "Oh yes, you do, and that's exactly why I wanted to see you." She turned then and, very carefully, very slowly, her eyes searched Rachel's face. "I let him marry you, you know. I thought it would be good for you. If I'd guessed the effect that you'd have had upon him I'd have prevented it." Rachel's anger was rising. "What effect?" "He's begun to worry about other people--a fatal thing with a man like Roddy who was meant to do things, not think about them. But, anyway, that's all too late now.... Waste of time discussing it.... What I wanted you for is this----" Her eyes left Rachel's face and returned to the window.