"I give it up, Miss Merton. Ask Sydney Smith."
Fanny was mystified, and the sulky look appeared.
"Well, I know I should like to be a duchess. Why shouldn't one want to
be a duchess?"
"Why not indeed?" said the doctor, helping himself to another oyster.
"That's why they exist."
"I suppose you're teasing," said Fanny, rather crossly.
"I am quite incapable of it," protested the doctor. "Shall we not all
agree that duchesses exist for the envy and jealousy of mankind?"
"Womankind?" put in Diana. The doctor smiled at her, and finished his
oyster. Brave child! Had that odious young woman been behaving in
character that morning? He would like to have the dealing with her! As
for Diana, her face reminded him of Cowper's rose "just washed by a
shower"--delicately fresh--yet eloquent of some past storm.--Good
Heavens! Where was that fellow Marsham? Philandering with
politics?--when there was this flower for the gathering!
* * * * *
Luncheon was half-way through when a rattling sound of horses' hoofs
outside drew the attention of the table.
"Somebody else coming to lunch," said Mr. Birch.
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