"Go away, you silly billy. Have a little decent pride, can't you? Don't bestow attentions when they're unwelcome." Then she addressed herself to Mr. Iglesias, but without looking up. "I beg your pardon, all this must seem rather abrupt. But sometimes one's duty to one's family takes one on the jump, as you may say; and one repairs neglect right away also on the jump. But--but--there's one thing I should like to know--when I told you my name just now--Poppy St. John, Mrs. St. John--you remember?" "I remember," he said. "Well, didn't it convey--didn't it mean anything special to you?" "I am afraid not," Iglesias answered. "You must pardon my ignorance, since I have lived very much out of the world. I know nothing of society." "So much the better. The world is a vastly overrated place, and society is about the biggest fraud going." She left off teasing the little dog, sat bolt upright, and looked full at Dominic Iglesias, her eyes serious, redeeming all the insignificance of her features and those little doubtful details of the general effect of her. "Don't make any mistake about either of them," she said. "Let the world and society alone as you value your peace of mind and independence. They're dead sea fruit to all outsiders such as--well--you and me. I hate them; only they've got me, and will have me in some form or other till the end, I suppose. But you are different, and I warn you"--Poppy's voice took on an odd inflection of mingled bitterness and tenderness--"they are not a bit adapted for a beautiful, innocent, uncrowned king like you." She got up as she spoke, gathering her trailing skirts about her, and called sharply to the little dogs. "The dew is rising," she said, "and Cappadocia's a regular cry-baby if she gets her feet wet. I must take her home. There's my card. You see the address? You can come when you like, only let me know the day beforehand, because I should be sorry to have people with me or to be out. Cappadocia 'll want you. So shall I. You do me good. I'll play quite fair, I promise you. Good-night."