She perfectly understood the motive of Lady Glencora’s visit, and thought that she would at any rate gain something in the very triumph of baffling the manoeuvres of so clever a woman.  Let Lady Glencora throw her aegis before the Duke, and it would be something to carry off his Grace from beneath the protection of so thick a shield.  The very flavour of the contest was pleasing to Madame Goesler.  But, the victory gained, what then would remain to her?  Money she had already; position, too, she had of her own.  She was free as air, and should it suit her at any time to go off to some lake of Como in society that would personally be more agreeable to her than that of the Duke of Omnium, there was nothing to hinder her for a moment.  And then came a smile over her face,—­but the saddest smile,—­as she thought of one with whom it might be pleasant to look at the colour of Italian skies and feel the softness of Italian breezes.  In feigning to like to do this with an old man, in acting the raptures of love on behalf of a worn-out duke who at the best would scarce believe in her acting, there would not be much delight for her.  She had never yet known what it was to have anything of the pleasure of love.  She had grown, as she often told herself, to be a hard, cautious, selfish, successful woman, without any interference or assistance from such pleasure.  Might there not be yet time left for her to try it without selfishness,—­with an absolute devotion of self,—­if only she could find the right companion?  There was one who might be such a companion, but the Duke of Omnium certainly could not be such a one.

But to be Duchess of Omnium!  After all, success in this world is everything;—­is at any rate the only thing the pleasure of which will endure.  There was the name of many a woman written in a black list within Madame Goesler’s breast,—­written there because of scorn, because of rejected overtures, because of deep social injury; and Madame Goesler told herself often that it would be a pleasure to her to use the list, and to be revenged on those who had ill-used and scornfully treated her.  She did not readily forgive those who had injured her.  As Duchess of Omnium she thought that probably she might use that list with efficacy.  Lady Glencora had treated her well, and she had no such feeling against Lady Glencora.  As Duchess of Omnium she would accept Lady Glencora as her dearest friend, if Lady Glencora would admit it.  But if it should be necessary that there should be a little duel between them, as to which of them should take the Duke in hand, the duel must of course be fought.  In a matter so important, one woman would of course expect no false sentiment from another.  She and Lady Glencora would understand each other;—­and no doubt, respect each other.