The Duke found himself laughing at what was said, but he was astonished that Nelita should behave like this.
Finally when dinner was over they moved back to the drawing room, the gentlemen having said that they had no wish to drink port alone and followed Lady Smiley.
Again they were laughing and Lady Smiley was referring to Paris almost as if she had been there herself.
She teased them and at the same time pretended to be shocked that they had enjoyed themselves so much with the French cocottes.
Then, as the clock struck ten, she rose to her feet.
“You must forgive me, Alex,” she said, “if I leave you, but I have an appointment that I cannot ignore.”
“You are now making us jealous,” Major Robertson complained. “Can it be possible you have found someone more attractive than us to spe
