Of course she has written before
this, and without actually saying it has managed to convey the fact
that you are a monster of perfidy; and Lisbeth, poor child, is
probably crying her eyes out, or imagining she hates you, is ready
to accept the first proposal she receives out of pure pique."
"Great heavens!" I exclaimed, "what on earth can I do?"
"You might go fishing," the Duchess suggested thoughtfully.
"Fishing!" I repeated, " - er, to be sure, but - "
"Riverdale is a very pretty place they tell me," pursued the
Duchess in the same thoughtful tone; "there is a house there, a
fine old place called Fane Court. It stands facing the river,
and adjoins Selwyn Park, I believe."
"Duchess," I exclaimed, as I jotted down the address upon my cuff,
"I owe you a debt of gratitude that I can never - "
"Tut, tut !" said her Grace.
"I think I'll start to-day, and - "
"You really couldn't do better," nodded the duchess.
* * * * *
And so it befell that on this August afternoon I sat in the shade
of the alders fishing, with the smoke of my pipe floating up into
the sunshine.
Pages:
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26