So Luke and Louisa did as convention bade them, and people stared at them and asked them inane questions that were meant to be delicate, but were supremely tactless. People too wondered what they meant to do, when the engagement would be duly broken off, or what Colonel Harris's--Louisa's father--attitude would be in all this. Somehow after the first excitement consequent on Lord Radclyffe's open acknowledgment of the claimant things had tamed off somewhat; Luke de Mountford looked just the same as before, although awhile ago he had been heir to one of the finest peerages in England and now was a penniless son of a younger son. I don't know whether people thought that he ought to look entirely different now, or whether he should henceforth wear shabby dress clothes and gloves that betrayed the dry cleaner; certain it is that when Luke entered a reception room, a dozen lips were ready--had they dared or good-breeding allowed--to frame the question: "Well, and what are you going to do now?" Or, "Do tell us how it feels to find one's self a beggar all of a sudden." Enterprising hostesses made great attempts to gather all parties in their drawing rooms. With strategy worthy of a better cause they manœuvred to invite Philip de Mountford and Lord Radclyffe, and Luke and Louisa--all to the same dinner party--promising themselves and their other guests a subtle enjoyment at sight of these puppets dancing to rousing tunes, beside which the most moving problem play would seem but tame entertainment. But Philip de Mountford--though as much sought after now as Luke had been in the past--declined to be made a show of for the delectation of bored society women; he declined all invitations on his own and Lord Radclyffe's behalf. So people had to be content to watch Luke and Louisa. They were together at the Ducies' At Home. There was a crush, a Hungarian band from Germany, a Russian singer from Bayswater, a great many diamonds, and incessant gossip. "Luke de Mountford is here--and Miss Harris. Have you seen them?" "Oh, yes! we met on the stairs, and had a long chat." "How do they seem?" "Oh! quite happy." "They don't care." "Do they mean to break off the engagement?" "I have heard nothing. Have you?" "Louisa Harris has a nice fortune of her own." "And Lord Radclyffe will provide for Luke." "I don't think so. He practically turned him out of the house, you know." "Not really?" "I know it for a positive fact. My sister has just got a new butler, who left Lord Radclyffe's service the very day Philip de Mountford first walked into the house." "Old Parker, I remember him." "He says Lord Radclyffe turned all the family out, bag and baggage. They were so insolent to Philip." "Then it's quite true?" "That this Philip is the late Arthur de Mountford's son?" "Quite true, I believe. Lord Radclyffe openly acknowledges it. He is satisfied apparently." "So are the lawyers, I understand."