He bent over her.
"Why?"
"I would persuade him to send me home again," she answered coldly.
The Duchess looked up from her knitting. "Your husband has saved
you the journey," she remarked, "even if you were able to work upon
the Prince's good nature to such an extent."
Lucille started round eagerly.
"What do you mean?" she cried.
"Your husband is in London," the Duchess answered.
Lucille laughed with the gaiety of a child. Like magic the lines
from beneath her eyes seemed to have vanished. Lady Carey watched
her with pale cheeks and malevolent expression.
"Come, Prince," she cried mockingly, "it was only a week ago that
you assured me that my husband could not leave America. Already
he is in London. I must go to see him. Oh, I insist upon it."
Saxe Leinitzer glanced towards the Duchess. She laid down her
knitting.
"My dear Countess," she said firmly, "I beg that you will listen
to me carefully. I speak to you for your own good, and I believe
I may add, Prince, that I speak with authority."
"With authority!" the Prince echoed.
"We all," the Duchess continued, "look upon your husband's arrival
as inopportune and unfortunate. We are all agreed that you must
be kept apart. Certain obligations have been laid upon you. You
could not possibly fulfil them with a husband at your elbow.
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