Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/184

 view before her as you have set it before me, I'm thinking she'd do her best to help us."

The Duke was impressed by such candor, such openness, such simplicity. After all, there was just a chance that things might take a more hopeful turn.

"She's not one to go where she's not wanted, sir," said Joe. "And my belief is that if you have a little talk with her and let her know how you feel about it, you may be spared a deal o' trouble."

"You really think that?" said the Duke with a sigh of relief.

"I do, sir. Leastways, if you ain't, Joseph Kelly will be disappointed."

Such disinterestedness was not exactly flattering, yet the Duke was touched by it. Indeed, Sergeant Kelly's sturdy common sense was so reassuring that he was invited to have a cigar. At the request of his host, he pressed the bell, one long and one short, and in the process of time a servant appeared with a box of Coronas. Joe chose one, smelt it, placed it to his ear and then put it sedately in his pocket.

"I'll not smoke it now, sir," he said urbanely. "I'll keep it until I can really enjoy it."

He was graciously invited to take several. With an air of polite deprecation he helped himself to three more. Then he realized that the time had come to withdraw.

The parting was one of mutual esteem. If the girl would consent to pay a visit to Bridport House, the Duke would see her gladly. But again his Grace affirmed that he was not an optimist. Society was in a state of flux, he quite agreed, democracy was knocking at the gate and none knew the next turn in the game. Still the