The San Francisco call., 1907-02-03
CHAPTER v.
The Graciou.ne.s Of the Duke

TT a quarter past three that after
noon I was ushered into the
presence of the Duke of Row
chester / had never seen him
before. and his personality at once in
terested me. He was a small man,
gray-haired keen eyed, clean shaven.
He received me in a Somewhat bare
apartment, which he alluded to as his
workroom. and l found him seated be-
fore desk strewn with papers. He
rose Immediately at my entrance, and
i could feel that he was taking more
than usual note of my appearance
You are Mr.. Ducaine." he said. hold
ing out his hand. i am very glad to
see you."
He motioned me to a chair facing
the window, great uncurtained affair,
through which the north light came
fiooding in, whilst he himself sat in the
shadows
II trust, he said, 'that you have
quite recovered from your last nights
indisposition. Ny daughter has been
telling me about it.
Quite, thank you," 7 answered
Lady Angela and Colonel Ray. were
very kind to me-
He nodded, and then glanced at the
papers on MS desk
II have been going through several
matters connected with the estate, Mr.
Ducaine.- he said, "and 1 have come
across one which concerns YOU.
'sThe proposed lease of the Grange,
] remarked.
Exactly. It seems that you ar
ranged a three years tenancy with Mr.
Hu1shaw, my agent. and were then
not prepared to carry it out.
interposed. II explained the circum-
stances to Mr.. Hulshaw. / was prom
ised two pupils if l took a suitable
house in this neighborhood, but after
all my plans were concluded their
father died unexpectedly, and their new
guardian made other arrangements.
Exactly the Duke remarked. THE
only reason why have alluded to the
matter is that / disapprove of the
course adopted by my agent. who. I
believe, enforced the payment of a
years rent from you
He was within his rights, your
Grace" I said.
He may have heen," the Duke ad-
mitted, but I consider his action ar
bitrary. Not only that, but it. was un-
necessary, for he has already found
another tenant for the place I have
instructed him, therefore. to send you
check for the amount you paid him.
less the actual cost of preparing the
lease
Now my entire capital at that mo-
ment was something under three shil-
1ings. A gift OF nifty pounds, there
fore, which. after all. was not a gift,
but only the just return of my own
money, was more than opportune--it
was heaven-sent. IL ] could have CIV
en- way to my feelings 1 should have
sprung up and wrung the little mans
hands. As ii was, however, ! expect
my face betrayed my joy. Your Grace
is exceedingly kind I told him. THE
money will be invaluable to me just
now"
The Duke inclined his head
IT am only sorry" he said, that
Hulshsw should have exacted it. 1t
shows how impossible it is to leave the
conduct Of ones affairs wholly in the
hands OF another person. Now there
IL further matter, Mr.. Ducaine. con-
cerning which I desired to speak to
you. ! refer to your projected lecture
last night
II beg that your Grace will not al
lude to Il" ] said. hastily. 1T is really
OF very little Importance"
The Duke had a habit which / began
at this time to observe. He appeared
to enter into all discussions with his
mind wholly made up upon any sub
5ect, ana any interruptions and inter-
polations he simply endured with
patience. and then continued on his
way without the slightest references
to them. He sat during my remark
with half-cfosed eyes. and when had
finished he went on, wholly ignoring
it,
This 10 . strange little corner of
the world he said, "and the minds
OF the people here are for the most part
like the minds Of little children; they
need forming ! have heard some re-
marks concerning the war from one or
two Of my tenants which have not
pleased me. Accordingly. while Colonel
Ray was here. thought 1t an excel
lent opportunity to endeavor to instruct
them AZ to the real facts of the case.
II was not until after the affair was
arranged--not indeed, until was actu-
ally In the .halI--that heard of our
misfortune in selecting the evening
which you had already reserved for
your own lecture. / trust that you
vill allow me to offer you the free use