CHAPTER SEVENThere was silence for a moment.
Then Shimona dropped her eyes and said,
“Of course – I understand that you could not – marry the daughter of an – actor – but – ”
“Good God, that is not the reason!” the Duke interrupted violently. “Did you really imagine that was why – ?”
He checked himself to say in a quieter voice,
“There is no man, whoever he might be, whatever his position in life, who would not be fortunate beyond words to be your husband.”
Shimona looked at him and he saw the bewilderment in her face.
“I will explain everything to you,” he said, “but go and sit in a chair. I cannot say what I have to say when you are so close to me.”
Confused but obedient, Shimona rose from her knees and moved across the hearth to sit opposite him, her eyes on his face, her finger
