CHAPTER XXXV 

The Prince crossed the hall and entered the morning-room. Felix was there and Raoul de Brouillac. The Duchess sat at her writing-table, scribbling a note. Lady Carey, in a wonderful white serge costume, and a huge bunch of Neapolitan violets at her bosom, was lounging in an easy-chair, swinging her foot backwards and forwards. The Duke, in a very old tweed coat, but immaculate as to linen and the details of his toilet, stood a little apart, with a frown upon his forehead, and exactly that absorbed air which in the House of Lords usually indicated his intention to make a speech. The entrance of the Prince, who carefully closed the door behind him, was an event for which evidently they were all waiting. 

"My good people," he said blandly, "I wish you all a very good-morning." 

There was a little murmur of greetings, and before they had all subsided the Duke spoke. 

"Saxe Leinitzer," he said, "I have a few questions to ask you." 

The Prince looked across the room at him. 

"By all means, Duke," he said. "But is the present an opportune time?" 

"Opportune or no, it is the time which I have selected," the Duke answered stiffly. "I do not altogether understand what is going on in this house. I am beginning to wonder whether I have been misled." 

The Prince, as he twirled his fair moustache, glanced carelessly enough across at the Duchess. She was looking the other way. 

"I became a--er--general member of this Society," the Duke continued, "sympathising heartily with its objects as explained to me by you, Prince, and believing, although to confess it is somewhat of a humiliation, that a certain amount of--er--combination amongst the aristocracy has become necessary to resist the terrible increase of Socialism which we must all so much deplore." 
who else?
Felix 