Andrew looked as he felt for a moment, shocked.

“I am sorry to hear that,” he said quietly.

“You need not be afraid,” she answered.  “I am not of age, and I was brought up in a country where one’s guardians have a good deal of authority, but nothing in the world would ever induce me to marry a creature like that.”

His face cleared somewhat.

“I am very surprised,” he said, “that your stepmother should have thought of it.  He is an unfit companion for any self-respecting woman.”

“I do not understand,” Jeanne said quietly, “why they are so anxious that I should marry quickly, but I know that my stepmother thinks of nothing else in connection with me.  Look!  They are coming through the conservatories.  Let us go out by the other door.”

They came face to face with a tall, grave-looking man, who wore an order around his neck.  Andrew stopped suddenly.

“I should like,” he said to Jeanne, “to introduce you to my friend.  You have met him before down at the Red Hall, and on the island, but that scarcely counts.  Westerham, this is Miss Le Mesurier.  You remember that you saw her at Salthouse.”

The Duke shook hands with the girl, looking at her attentively.  His manner was kind, but his eyes seemed to be questioning her all the time.

“I am very glad to know you, Miss Le Mesurier,” he said.  “My friend Andrew here has spoken of you to me.”

They remained talking together for some minutes, until, in fact, Forrest and the Princess, who were in pursuit of them, appeared.  The Princess looked curiously at the Duke, and Forrest frowned heavily when he recognized him.  There was a moment’s almost embarrassed silence.  Then Andrew did what seemed to him to be the reasonable thing.

“Princess,” he said, “will you allow me to present my friend the Duke of Westerham.  The Duke was staying with me a few weeks ago, as you know, and at that time he had a particular reason for not wishing his whereabouts to be known.”

The Duke bowed over the Princess’ hand, which was offered him at once, and without hesitation, but his greeting to Forrest was markedly cold.  Forrest had evidently lost his nerve.  He seemed tongue-tied, and he was very pale.  It was the Princess alone who saved the situation from becoming an exceedingly embarrassing one.

“I have heard of you very often, Duke,” she said.  “Your brother, Lord Ronald, took us down to Norfolk, you know.  By the by, have you heard from him yet?”

“Not yet, madam,” the Duke said, “but I can assure you that it is only a matter of time before I shall discover his whereabouts.  I wonder whether your ward will do me the honour of giving me this dance?” he added, turning to her.  “I am afraid I am not a very skilful performer, but perhaps she will have a little consideration for one who is willing to do his best.”

He led Jeanne away from them, and Andrew, after a moment’s stereotyped conversation, also departed.  The Princess and Forrest were alone.