"I do not know exactly why 'it matters to me'--I am quoting her
mother," he explained, "but it happens that I am determined to
stand between the child and what would otherwise be the inevitable.
It is not that she has the slightest resemblance to--to anyone--which
might awaken memory. It is not that. She and her mother are of
totally different types. And her detestation of me is unconquerable.
She believes me to be the worst of men. When I entered the room
into which the woman had trapped her, she thought that I came as
one of the creature's damnable clients. You will acknowledge that
my position presents difficulties in the way of explanation to
a girl--to most adults in fact. Her childish frenzy of desire
to support herself arises from her loathing of the position of
accepting support from me. I sympathize with her entirely."
"Mademoiselle Valle is an intelligent woman," the Duchess said as
though thinking the matter out. "Send her to me and we will talk
the matter over. Then she can bring the child."
CHAPTER XXVI
As a result of this, her grace saw Mademoiselle Valle alone
a few mornings later and talked to her long and quietly. Their
comprehension of each other was complete. Before their interview
was at an end the Duchess' interest in the adventure she was about
to enter into had become profound.
"The sooner she is surrounded by a new atmosphere, the better,"
was one of the things the Frenchwoman had said.
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