And, rising, Julie threw up her arms and clasped her hands above her head.  The gesture was all strength and will, like the stretching of a sea-bird’s wings.

The Duchess looked at her with eyes that had begun to waver.

“Julie, I heard such an odd piece of news last night.”

Julie turned.

“You remember the questions you asked me about Aileen Moffatt?”

“Perfectly.”

“Well, I saw a man last night who had just come home from Simla.  He saw a great deal of her, and he says that she and her mother were adored in India.  They were thought so quaint and sweet—­unlike other people—­and the girl so lovely, in a sort of gossamer way.  And who do you think was always about with them—­at Peshawar first, and then at Simla—­so that everybody talked?  Captain Warkworth!  My man believed there was an understanding between them.”

Julie had begun to fill the flower-glasses with water and unpack the flower-basket.  Her back was towards the Duchess.  After a moment she replied, her hands full of forced narcissuses: 

“Well, that would be a coup for him.”

“I should think so.  She is supposed to have half a million in coal-mines alone, besides land.  Has Captain Warkworth ever said anything to you about them?”

“No.  He has never mentioned them.”

The Duchess reflected, her eyes still on Julie’s back.

“Everybody wants money nowadays.  And the soldiers are just as bad as anybody else.  They don’t look money, as the City men do—­that’s why we women fall in love with them—­but they think it, all the same.”

Julie made no reply.  The Duchess could see nothing of her.  But the little lady’s face showed the flutter of one determined to venture yet a little farther on thin ice.

“Julie, I’ve done everything you’ve asked me.  I sent a card for the 20th to that rather dreadful woman, Lady Froswick.  I was very clever with Freddie about that living; and I’ve talked to Mr. Montresor.  But, Julie, if you don’t mind, I really should like to know why you’re so keen about it?”

The Duchess’s cheeks were by now one flush.  She had a romantic affection for Julie, and would not have offended her for the world.

Julie turned round.  She was always pale, and the Duchess saw nothing unusual.

“Am I so keen?”

“Julie, you have done everything in the world for this man since he came home.”

“Well, he interested me,” said Julie, stepping back to look at the effect of one of the vases.  “The first evening he was here, he saved me from Lady Henry—­twice.  He’s alone in the world, too, which attracts me.  You see, I happen to know what it’s like.  An only son, and an orphan, and no family interest to push him—­”

“So you thought you’d push him?  Oh, Julie, you’re a darling—­but you’re rather a wire-puller, aren’t you?”

Julie smiled faintly.