“That it is a trick—­a device—­a deceit!” continued poor Gustave.

“It was decidedly indiscreet of you to come,” said the duchess reprovingly.  “How was I to know about Lady Cynthia?  If I had known about Lady Cynthia, I would not have asked you; I would have asked Mr. Aycon only.  Or perhaps you also, Mr. Aycon—­”

“Madame,” said I, “I am alone in the world.”

“Where has Claire gone to?” asked Gustave.

“Paris,” pouted the duchess.

Gustave rose, flinging his napkin on the table.

“I shall follow her to-morrow,” he said.  “I suppose you’ll go back to England, Gilbert?”

If Gustave left us, it was my unhesitating resolve to return to England.

“I suppose I shall,” said I.

“I suppose you must,” said the duchess ruefully.  “Oh, isn’t it exasperating?  I had planned it all so delightfully!”

“If you had told the truth—­” began Gustave.

“I should not have had a preacher to supper,” said the duchess sharply; then she fell to laughing again.

“Is Mlle. de Berensac irrecoverable?” I suggested.

“Why, yes.  She has gone to take her turn of attendance on your rich old aunt, Gustave.”

I think that there was a little malice in the duchess’ way of saying this.

There seemed nothing more to be done.  The duchess herself did not propose to defy conventionality to the extent of inviting me to stay.  To do her justice, as soon as the inevitable was put before her, she accepted it with good grace, and, after supper, busied herself in discovering the time and manner in which her guests might pursue their respective journeys.  I may be flattering myself, but I thought that she displayed a melancholy satisfaction on discovering that Gustave de Berensac must leave at ten o’clock the next morning, whereas I should be left to kick my heels in idleness at Cherbourg if I set out before five in the afternoon.

“Oh, you can spend the time en route,” said Gustave.  “It will be better.”

The duchess looked at me; I looked at the duchess.

“My dear Gustave,” said I, “you are very considerate.  You could not do more if I also were in love with Lady Cynthia.”

“Nor,” said the duchess, “if I were quite unfit to be spoken to.”

“If my remaining till the afternoon will not weary the duchess—­” said I.

“The duchess will endure it,” said she, with a nod and a smile.

Thus it was settled, a shake of the head conveying Gustave’s judgment.  And soon after, Mme. de Saint-Maclou bade us good-night.  Tired with my journey, and (to tell the truth) a little out of humor with my friend, I was not long in seeking my bed.  At the top of the stairs a group of three girls were gossiping; one of them handed me a candle and flung open the door of my room with a roguish smile on her broad good-tempered face.

“One of the greatest virtues of women,” said I pausing on the threshold, “is fidelity.”