And with a final and long pressure of the duchess' hand, I, in the garb and personality of George Sampson, dismissed for drunkenness, walked out of the gate of the _château_. "One thing," I observed to myself as I started, "would seem highly probable--and that is, that this sort of thing has happened before." The idea did not please me. I like to do things first. CHAPTER IV. The Duchess Defines Her Position. I walked on at a leisurely pace; the heavy carriage was very near the top of the hill. In about three minutes' time we met. There sat alone in the carriage a tall dark man, with a puffy white face, a heavy mustache, and stern cold eyes. He was smoking a cigar. I plucked my hat from my head and made as if to pass by. "Who's this?" he called out, stopping the carriage. I began to recite my lesson in stumbling French. "Why, what are you? Oh, you're English! Then in Heaven's name, speak English--not that gabble." And then he repeated his order, "Speak English," in English, and continued in that language, which he spoke with stiff formal correctness. He heard my account of myself with unmoved face. "Have you any writings--any testimonials?" he asked. "No, my lord," I stammered, addressing him in style I thought most natural to my assumed character. "That's a little curious, isn't it? You become intoxicated everywhere, perhaps?" "I've never been intoxicated in my life, my lord," said I, humbly but firmly. "Then you dispute the justice of your dismissal?" "Yes, my lord." I thought such protest due to my original. He looked at me closely, smoking his cigar the while. "You made love to the chambermaids?" he asked suddenly. "No, my lord. One evening, my lord, it was very hot, and--and the wine, my lord--" "Then you were intoxicated?" I fumbled with my hat, praying that the fellow would move on. "What servants are there?" he asked, pointing to the house. "Four maids, my lord, and old Jean." Again he meditated; then he said sharply: "Have you ever waited at table?" We have all, I suppose, waited at table--in one sense. Perhaps that may save my remark from untruth. "Now and then, my lord," I answered, wondering what he would be at. "I have guests arriving to-morrow," he said. "My man comes with them, but the work will perhaps be too much for him. Are you willing to stay and help? I will pay you the same wages." I could have laughed in his face; but duty seemed to point to seriousness. "I'm very sorry, my lord--" I began. "What, have you got another place?" "No, my lord; not exactly." "Then get up on the front seat. Or do you want your employers to say you are disobliging as well as drunken?" "But the lady sent me--" "You may leave that to me. Come, jump up! Don't keep me waiting!" Doubtfully I stood in the road, the duke glaring at me with impatient anger. Then he leaned forward and said: "You are curiously reluctant, sir, to earn your living. I don't understand it. I must make some inquiries about you."