everything she wanted. She's been spoiled, don't you know. Those kind of people never have any consideration for any one else. You mustn't let her outburst hurt you."
"Oh, but I don't. I don't really," protested Sonia.
"I'm glad of that," said the Duke. "It isn't really worth noticing."
He drew the envelopes and unused cards into a packet, and handed them to her.
"There!" he said, with a smile. "That won't be too heavy for you."
"Thank you," said Sonia, taking it from him.
"Shall I carry them for you?" said the Duke.
"No, thank you, your Grace," said Sonia.
With a quick, careless, almost irresponsible movement, he caught her hand, bent down, and kissed it. A great wave of rosy colour flowed over her face, flooding its whiteness to her hair and throat. She stood for a moment turned to stone; she put her hand to her heart. Then on hasty, faltering feet she went to the door, opened it, paused on the threshold, turned and looked back at him, and vanished.
