Ten minutes later she was alone with Caroline.

‘Tie yourself to the Duke at the dinner,’ she said, in the forcible phrase she could use when necessary.  ’Don’t let them scheme to separate you.  Never mind looks—­do it!’

Caroline, however, had her reasons for desiring to maintain appearances.  The Countess dashed at her hesitation.

’There is a plot to humiliate us in the most abominable way.  The whole family have sworn to make us blush publicly.  Publicly blush!  They have written to Mama to come and speak out.  Now will you attend to me, Caroline?  You do not credit such atrocity?  I know it to be true.’

‘I never can believe that Rose would do such a thing,’ said Caroline.’  We can hardly have to endure more than has befallen us already.’

Her speech was pensive, as of one who had matter of her own to ponder over.  A swift illumination burst in the Countess’s mind.

’No?  Have you, dear, darling Carry? not that I intend that you should! but to-day the Duke would be such ineffable support to us.  May I deem you have not been too cruel to-day?  You dear silly English creature, “Duck,” I used to call you when I was your little Louy.  All is not yet lost, but I will save you from the ignominy if I can.  I will!’

Caroline denied nothing—­confirmed nothing, just as the Countess had stated nothing.  Yet they understood one another perfectly.  Women have a subtler language than ours:  the veil pertains to them morally as bodily, and they see clearer through it.

The Countess had no time to lose.  Wrath was in her heart.  She did not lend all her thoughts to self-defence.

Without phrasing a word, or absolutely shaping a thought in her head, she slanted across the sun to Mr. Raikes, who had taken refreshment, and in obedience to his instinct, notwithstanding his enormous pretensions, had commenced a few preliminary antics.

‘Dear Mr. Raikes!’ she said, drawing him aside, ‘not before dinner!’

‘I really can’t contain the exuberant flow!’ returned that gentleman.  ’My animal spirits always get the better of me,’ he added confidentially.

‘Suppose you devote your animal spirits to my service for half an hour.’

’Yours, Countess, from the ‘os frontis’ to the chine!’ was the exuberant rejoinder.

The Countess made a wry mouth.

‘Your curricle is in Beckley?’

‘Behold!’ said Jack.  ’Two juveniles, not half so blest as I, do from the seat regard the festive scene o’er yon park palings.  They are there, even Franko and Fred. I ’m afraid I promised to get them in at a later period of the day.  Which sadly sore my conscience doth disturb!  But what is to be done about the curricle, my Countess?’

‘Mr. Raikes,’ said the Countess, smiling on him fixedly, ’you are amusing; but in addressing me, you must be precise, and above all things accurate.  I am not your Countess!’