He at once inquired for the Countess, but found to his annoyance that both she and his sister had gone to the theatre.

He had been out when they went, and so they had taken Miss Skeat as a sort of escort, and were doubtless enjoying themselves mightily.

It was necessary, however, that Margaret should know the news of the delay before she went to bed, for it would have been cruel to allow her to wake in the morning with the assurance that Claudius might arrive at any moment.
"If I wait for them, and make a fuss, she will think it is something serious," reflected the Duke with more than usual tact.

So he wrote a note, simply stating that he had news of a delay in the arrival of some hours,--perhaps a whole day, he added, wishing to be on the safe side.
He gave the note to Vladimir, and went away to his rooms.
Margaret and Lady Victoria came home together in great spirits, laughing and rustling in their silk cloaks as they entered the little drawing-room, and sat down by the fire for a chat.

Then Vladimir brought the Duke's note.