'
The eyes of Miss Dacre and the Duke of St. James met. He bowed with that
graceful impudence which is, after all, the best explanation for every
possible misunderstanding.
'I always heard that the Duke of St. James was born of age,' said Miss
Dacre.
'The report was rife on the Continent when I travelled,' said Mrs.
Dallington Vere.
'That was only a poetical allegory, which veiled the precocious results
of my fair tutor's exertions.'
'How discreet he is!' said the Duke of Burlington. 'You may tell
immediately that he is two-and-forty.'
'We are neither of us, though, off the _pave_ yet, Burlington; so what
say you to inducing these inspiring muses to join the waltz which is
just now commencing?'
The young Duke offered his hand to Miss Dacre, and, followed by
their companions, they were in a few minutes lost in the waves of the
waltzers.
CHAPTER VI.
_A Complaisant Spouse_
THE gaieties of the race-week closed with a ball at Dallington House.
As the pretty mistress of this proud mansion was acquainted with all the
members of the ducal party, our hero and his noble band were among those
who honoured it with their presence.
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