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 if the telegrams are already written out ready for your attempt. They know you so well. You can't do it," the Honorable John Ruffin insisted.

"But the joke is that she'll have been out of the country days and days before she is missed," said the duchess with sparkling eyes; and she laughed joyfully.

"How will you work that?" said the Honorable John Ruffin, interested.

The duchess turned to Pollyooly, who had been too polite to leave the room, since she was the subject under discussion, and said briskly, "Would you like twenty pounds—twenty—gold—sovereigns, Pollyooly?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Pollyooly without the fifth of a second's hesitation.

"Well, if you'll be another little girl for a fortnight, I'll give you twenty gold sovereigns. And you'll live in a beautiful house in the country and have lots of pets; and all you'll have to do will be to pretend that you're another little—my little girl, Lady Marion Ricksborough. You'll have just to keep quiet, and let everybody think that you're her. Do you understand?"