Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/273

 specific ground for the suggestion?" He scanned Sarah narrowly, with heavily-lidded eyes.

"On general grounds only, I believe."

The Duke was more than a little relieved, but he was content to express the fact by transferring his gaze to the book-rest in front of him.

"She thinks it will be in the interests of everyone to make the best of a most tiresome and humiliating business. And, after all, he is certain to be Prime Minister within the next ten years."

"Who tells you that?"

"Last night at dinner I met Harry Truscott, and that's his prediction. He says Sir Dugald Maclean is the big serpent that swallows all the little serpents."

"Uncommonly true!" His Grace made a wry mouth. "Still, that's hardly a reason why we should receive the reptile here."

"No, of course. I quite agree. But Aunt Charlotte thinks there is nothing to gain by standing out. Muriel has quite made up her foolish mind. So the dignified thing seems to be to make the best of a miserable business."

"It may be," said his Grace. "But personally I should be grateful if Charlotte would mind her own affairs."

The tone implied quite definitely that he had no wish to pursue the topic; nay, it even invited Sarah to make an end of their talk and to go away as soon as possible. Clearly he was far from understanding that it was little more than a red herring across the trail of a sinister intention. But the fact was revealed to him by her next remarks.