and had received but very indifferent replies. The Duke had
sometimes declared that the matter was not ripe enough to allow
him to make any answer. 'Of course,' said the Duchess, 'you
should keep the secret. The editors of the evening papers
haven't known it for above an hour.' At another time he told her
that he had undertaken to give Mr Gresham his assistance in any
way that might be asked.

'Joint undersecretary with Lord Fawn, I should say,' answered the
Duchess. Then he told her that he believed an attempt would be
made at a mixed ministry, but that he did not in the least know
to whom the work of doing so would be confided. 'You will be
about the last man who will be told,' replied the Duchess. Now,
at this moment, he had, as she knew, come direct from the house
of Mr Gresham, and she asked her question in her usual spirit.

'And what are they going to make you now?'

But he did not answer the question in his usual manner. He would
customarily smile gently at her badinage, and perhaps say a word
intended to show that he was not in the least moved by her
raillery. But in this instance he was very grave, and stood
before her a moment making no answer at all, looking at her in a
sad and almost solemn manner. 'They have told you that they can
do without you,' she said, breaking out almost into a passion.
'I knew it would be. Men are always valued by others as they
value themselves.'

'I wish it were so,' he replied. 'I should sleep easier to-
night.'