But he said in an indifferent enough tone: "Ah, she grew mysterious, did she ?" "Ever so mysterious," said Pollyooly.
"It's a habit of her class, I believe," said the Honourable John Ruffin carelessly.

"Probably she meant nothing at all." Pollyooly went back to the Lump content; but the Honourable John Ruffin kept his brow puckered by a thoughtful frown for some time after she had gone.

Then he shrugged his shoulders, and his face resumed its wonted serenity.
Three afternoons later there was a knocking at the door of the chambers; and Pollyooly opened it to find the Duke of Osterley standing on the threshold.

She was surprised, because she had no reason to believe that the coldness which the Honourable John Ruffin had told her subsisted between himself and the duke had been dissipated; but, like the well-mannered child she was, she did not let her surprise be seen, but bowed politely as she had seen ladies at Pyechurch bow, for since she had been promoted to the position of the Honourable John Ruffin's cousin she had abandoned the curtsey as out of keeping with that more exalted station.
The duke gazed gloomily at her, for it was very present to his mind that their earlier meetings had, for him, been barren of joy; then he said gloomily: "Ah, you _are_ here.

Is Mr.Ruffin back from the Law Courts yet ?" "No, your Grace; but he won't be long.