"Whatever might come of her blood, she has been all her life willing enough to get rid of her poverty. It isn't above three years since she was trying her best to marry that brewer at Silverbridge. I wish you could give your time a little to some of the other people." "To go and shoot arrows?" "No;--I don't want you to shoot arrows. You might act the part of host without shooting. Can't you walk about with anybody except Lady Rosina De Courcy?" "I was walking about with Sir Orlando Drought last Sunday, and I very much prefer Lady Rosina." "There has been no quarrel?" asked the Duchess sharply. "Oh dear, no." "Of course he's an empty-headed idiot. Everybody has always known that. And he's put above his place in the House. But it wouldn't do to quarrel with him now." "I don't think I am a quarrelsome man, Cora. I don't remember at this moment that I have ever quarrelled with anybody to your knowledge. But I may perhaps be permitted to--" "Snub a man, you mean. Well, I wouldn't even snub Sir Orlando very much, if I were you; though I can understand that it might be both pleasant and easy." "I wish you wouldn't put slang phrases into my mouth, Cora. If I think that a man intrudes upon me, I am of course bound to let him know my opinion." "Sir Orlando has--intruded!" "By no means. He is in a position which justifies his saying many things to me which another might not say. But then, again, he is a man whose opinion does not go far with me, and I have not the knack of seeming to agree with a man while I let his words pass idly by me." "That is quite true, Plantagenet." "And, therefore, I was uncomfortable with Sir Orlando, while I was able to sympathise with Lady Rosina." "What do you think of Ferdinand Lopez?" asked the Duchess, with studied abruptness. "Think of Mr. Lopez! I haven't thought of him at all. Why should I think of him?" "I want you to think of him. I think he's a very pleasant fellow, and I'm sure he's a rising man." "You might think the latter, and perhaps feel sure of the former." "Very well. Then, to oblige you, I'll think the latter and feel sure of the former. I suppose it's true that Mr. Grey is going on this mission to Persia?" Mr. Grey was the Duke's intimate friend, and was at this time member for the neighbouring borough of Silverbridge. "I think he will go. I've no doubt about it. He is to go after Christmas." "And will give up his seat?"