The ones she would like to know--she said it in plain words once to
Mademoiselle--might not want to know her. I must take the liberty
of speaking plain, your grace, or it's no use me speaking at all.
She holds it deep in her mind that she's a sort of young outcast."
"I must convince her that she is not--." It was the beginning of
what the Duchess had meant to say, but she actually found herself
pausing, held for the moment by Dowie's quiet, civil eye.
"Was your grace in your kindness thinking--?" was what the excellent
woman said.
"Yes. That I would invite young people to meet her--help them to
know each other and to make friends." And even as she said it she
was conscious of being slightly under the influence of Dowie's
wise gaze.
"Your grace only knows those young people she would like to know."
It was a mere simple statement.
"People are not as censorious as they once were." Her grace's tone
was intended to reply to the suggestion lying in the words which
had worn the air of statement without comment.
"Some are not, but some are," Dowie answered. "There's two worlds
in London now, your grace. One is your grace's and one is Mrs.
Gareth-Lawless'. I HAVE heard say there are others between, but
I only know those two."
The Duchess pondered again.
"You are thinking that what Miss Robin said to Mademoiselle Valle
might be true--in mine.
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