From His Grace's Journal to Mrs. Pledger's Account Summary

On December 19, some local folks ask the Duke's permission to skate on his lake. He grants his permission and by the evening the lake is quite busy. While the local folks are skating and having fun together, the Duke stands alone in his study watching them. Eventually, Clement joins the Duke in the study and shows the Duke a pair of ancient skates. Despite the Duke's protests, Clement bundles the Duke up and sends him to skate among the common folk. Although the Duke is anonymous in his many layered winter costume and although he hardly engages anyone in intimate conversation, he finds that just skating in the presence of strangers has yielded a sense of fellowship. He no longer feels lonely.

On December 21, the Duke decides to approach...