“I thought the duke was an old admirer of yours, and had come over on purpose to marry you,” said Violet.

“That is too true.  He came against my will.  I have never given him the slightest encouragement.  How could I when my life is consecrated to the memory of my husband and to the work he left unfinished?  I fear Mr. Rockharrt assured the duke of my hand; and when he heard the false announcement of our betrothal, he took it for granted that it was all right.  He must have done so; though he himself was much taken by surprise.”

“How very strange of Mr. Rockharrt to do such a thing.  If I had been you, Cora, I should have got up and disclaimed it.”

“No you would not.  You would not have made a scene at the dinner table.  I was in no way responsible for the announcement made by my grandfather, and in no way bound by it.  The silence that seemed to indorse it was rendered absolutely necessary under the circumstances.”

“But what shall you do about it?”

“As soon as I can speak of it without making a scene, I shall tell Mr. Rockharrt and the Duke of Cumbervale that a most reprehensible liberty has been taken with my name.  I will say that I never have been, and never will be, engaged to the Duke of Cumbervale, or to any other man.  That is what I shall do about it.”

“It would mortify the duke very much.”

“I do not care if it does.”

“And, indeed, it would put Mr. Rockharrt into a terrible rage.”

“I cannot help it.  Here come the gentlemen.”

At that moment the four gentlemen entered the drawing room.  The duke came directly up to Cora, and bending over her, said in a low voice inaudible to the rest of the party: 

“Corona, you have blessed me beyond the power of words to express!  Only the dedication of a life to your happiness—­”

There the ardent lover was suddenly stopped by the cold look of surprise in Cora’s eyes.  His face took on a disturbed expression.

“I think there is some serious mistake here, sir, which we may set right at some more fitting opportunity.  Will you have the kindness not to refer to the comedy enacted at our dinner table to-night?”

“I will obey you, although I do not understand you,” said the duke.

“Oblige me, duke!  I want to show you a map of the projected Oregon and Alaska railroad,” said the Iron King, coming toward his guest with a roll of parchment in his hands.

The duke immediately arose and went off with his host to a distant table, where the map was spread out, and the two gentlemen sat down to examine it.  Mr. Fabian and Mr. Clarence came over to join Cora and Violet.

“This is a pretty march you have stolen on us, Cora!  I had no more idea of this than the man in the moon!  But I congratulate you, my dear!  I congratulate you!  Your present from me shall be a set of the most splendid diamonds that can be got together by the diamond merchants of Europe.  No mere set that can be picked up ready set, eh?  Diamonds that shall grace a duchess, my dear!” said Mr. Fabian ostentatiously.