Funds were lacking for the journey, but his determination was not to be set aside.
Come what might, he declared, his child must be English-born.

A carriage was hired, and the Duke himself mounted the box.

Inside were the Duchess, her daughter Feodora, a girl of fourteen, with maids, nurses, lap-dogs, and canaries.

Off they drove--through Germany, through France: bad roads, cheap inns, were nothing to the rigorous Duke and the equable, abundant Duchess.

The Channel was crossed, London was reached in safety.