Amid the general flutter following the King’s appearance, it was easy enough for the Duchess of Varna to slip away. Knowing the palace inside out it was unnecessary to make any fuss. Passing through a long room, where a hundred holland-covered chairs stood grouped, Congresswise, around a vast table, she attained the Orangery, that gave access to the drive. The mellay of vehicles had considerably increased, and the Duchess paused a moment to consider which she should borrow, when recollecting she wished to question one of the royal gardeners on a little matter of mixing manure, she decided to return through the castle grounds instead. Taking a path that descended between rhododendrons and grim old cannons towards the town, she was comparing the capriciousness of certain bulbs to that of certain people, when she heard her name called from behind, and glancing round perceived the charming silhouette of the Countess of Tolga. “I couldn’t stand it inside: Could you?” “My _dear_, what a honeymoon hat!” “It was made by me!” “Oh, Violet....” the Duchess murmured, her face taking on a look of wonder. “Don’t forget, dear, Sunday.” “Is it a party?” “I’ve asked Grim-lips and Ladybird, Hairy and Fluffy, Hardylegs and Bluewings, Spindleshanks, and Our Lady of Furs.” “Not Nanny-goat?” “Luckily ...” the Countess replied, raising to her nose the heliotropes in her hand. “Is he no better?” “You little know, dear, what it is to be all alone with him chez soi when he thinks and sneers into the woodwork.” “_Into the woodwork?_” “He addresses the ceiling, the walls, the floor--me never!” “Dear dove.” “All I can I’m plastic.” “Can one be plastic ever enough, dear?” “Often but for Olga ...” the Countess murmured, considering a little rosy ladybird on her arm. “I consider her ever so compelling, ever so wistful--” the Duchess of Varna averred. “Sweet girl--! She’s just my consolation.” “She reminds me, does she you, of that _Miss Hobart_ in de Grammont’s _Memoirs_.” “C’est une ame exquise!” “Well au revoir, dear: We shall meet again at the Princess Leucippe’s later on,” the duchess said, detecting her gardener in the offing.