Marie Belloc Lowndes

“ She added lightly, "It's a great responsibility."
"Who else is staying here, apart from the Chancellor of the Exchequer?" asked the young man suddenly.
Before the Duchess could answer, Ronny's wife suddenly seized his arm, and she held on to him firmly while she exclaimed: "The man who is nicknamed 'White Job'? I'd no idea he was here."
"He's not in the least Job-like in everyday life," said the Duchess, smiling. "He's a most cheerful, delightful person, and very fond of young people. Then there's his secretary, of course, Bobby Roxly——"
"I know him," said Dahlia Whiteways quietly. ”

“ Dahlia Whiteways turned round, and the Duchess saw that her pale green limpid=looking eyes were brimming with tears. "I'm as happy as I deserve to be," she said in a low voice. "The only man I ever cared for was killed in the war. I was so miserable, and at such a loose end, that I took the first well-to-do man who asked me. Ronny is not a bad sort, and we should be all right if Lady Whiteways weren't so mean. Even in these hard times she contrives to save. After all, the old thing can't take her money to heaven with her. Ronny is bound to have it all some day." ”

“ Almost sobbing with relief, Ronny threw his arms round her neck as he had been wont to do as a child, for he had a really affectionate nature.
"I do hope that hard-looking young woman is kind to my poor boy," said the old lady to herself.
When he got back to what he called their own quarters. Dahlia, wild-eyed, almost hysterical, was standing just within her bedroom door, and with her was their hostess.
"I know everything. Oh, Ronny!" And they melted into each other's arms.
"The Duchess was afraid I'd be frightened at Aunt Georgie's having sent for you, so she came and told me. ”

“ I suspect she was christened 'Mary-Anne,' and that she just took 'Dahlia' because it's extraordinary, and sets her apart from her kind."
"One might say just the same of 'Decima,'" said the Duchess, smiling.
"'Decima' is ugly, and 'Dahlia' is lovely. That's the difference between them. Still, I promise I'll try and be decent to her. And I do agree that it's 'poor Dahlia,' as far as Ronny is concerned. But well—I don't trust her! There are depths in her that I for one can't plumb."
"There are depths in most of us that even our nearest and dearest can't plumb, as you call it, Dessie. ”

“ But, yes, I think it's going to be a very pleasant party."
"Who's in the party?" came the carelessly uttered question.
"I suppose most people would call Sir Ralph Bannerman our brightest star."
"What does he do, Aunt Georgie?"
"Really, Dahlia! Surely you know that he's Chancellor of the Exchequer? He's putting the last touches to what Dessie Hilbry calls his bran-pie Budget. Then there's his secretary, Robert Roxly, and half the Cabinet and their wives besides."
"They say the Duchess is so delightful; I do wish we knew her." ”

“ Sir Ralph; but of my own household I am absolutely sure."
"Roxly does not suspect this to have been the work of a servant," said Sir Ralph decidedly. "His view is that either some entire stranger effected an entry into the castle, went through the pockets of his tennis jacket and got into his bedroom twice, when he was playing tennis, and again in the evening—or that one of my fellow guests was guilty of what virtually amounted to a theft. What is more, he is convinced, rightly or wrongly, that the master mind concerned with the affair was a woman's mind."
The Duchess felt nettled. ”

“ Lady Whiteways—old woman—believes that they're living on their income. She allows Ronny a thousand a year, and she thinks Dahlia has the interest on six thousand pounds. Why, they've never spent a penny under three thousand a year, and they're hideously in debt! Ronny ought never to have gone into the city. Being the fool he is, it's only brought them both in touch with a lot of unscrupulous people. ”

“ But I shall be very surprised, from what I hear of your friend Ronny Whiteways, if he leaves without having tried to 'touch' one or two of his great-aunt's old friends that may be here."
Illustration: "'Few women are as foolishly generous as you are. Do remember that "kindness brings its own punishment."' 'Since I had the good fortune to become your wife I've not often had occasion to forget it,' said the Duchess." ”

“ He shook his head. "I'm sure that Ronny brought her the despatch-box, a dummy supplied by her employer being put by him in its stead while she got what she wanted."
"I wonder Sir Ralph did not suspect Dahlia."
"He hates what is commonly called 'gossip,' and lends a cold ear to it. Also, he knows Ronny to be heir to a very wealthy woman."
"And now," said the Duchess, "I suppose you want me to tackle Dahlia?"
"If you would be so kind!"
The Duchess got up. "I'll do my best," she said briefly. Then she exclaimed: "And now I do beg of you to try and get some rest, Mr. Roxly." ”

“ He missed the key, he asserts, the moment he handled his watch and chain again after the tennis; but he thought it best to say nothing tome about it just then, though of course he felt most seriously disturbed. He declares that he never parts from his keys unless he is——"
"—Absolutely sure of his quarters," said the Duchess quickly. "And so he ought to have been here at our house."
"Rogues make their way in everywhere," said her companion thoughtfully. "And far more is that the case nowadays than it ever was before."
"Then has the despatch-box disappeared too?" ”

“ Roxly suspects, Sir Ralph?"
He did not answer at once. Then, looking at her straight, he said in a low voice: "I'm afraid Roxly suspects little Lady Hilbry."
"Impossible!" cried the Duchess. "Besides, Dessie Hilbry is in no want of money."
Illustration: "'I walked straight in,' said the Duchess slowly.... 'I wanted to speak to you alone, and I was afraid that if Ronny was next door he might hear my knock, and come in.'"
"You can say that about few women," exclaimed the Chancellor of the Exchequer dryly, "and about very few men! ”

“ But he's an idle young chap; and I'm told his wife is recklessly extravagant."
"I heard them described the other day as a charming young couple."
"They're a pair of young fools, if half what I hear is true." ”