"Certainly," agreed Carstares. "Are we to leave the other colours until the pinks are sorted?"
She nodded and bent her head over the silks.
"Is Sir Miles coming this afternoon, Mr. Carr?"
"Why yes, Miss Betty-now you mention it, I remember that he is. Miss Beauleigh, I defy you to put that one on the rose pile; 'tis a shade too deep."
"I am sure 'tis not! Where is one to compare with it?"
Carstares produced a long thread and held it next to hers. The two heads were bent close over it. Diana sighed.
"You are right; I can just see the difference. But 'tis very slight!"
Miss Betty peeped over their shoulders.
"Gracious, what an eye you must have! I can detect no difference." Her eye ran along the row of silks laid out on my lord's white satin leg.
"Mr. Carr," said Diana suddenly, "I want to ask you something-something that has been puzzling me."
"Faith, what is it, Miss Beauleigh?"
"Just this: why did you call Mr. Everard M. le Duc?"
There was a tiny pause. My lord looked down into the gold-flecked eyes and frowned a little.
"Did I call him that?"
"Yes, I remember it distinctly. Was it just-a manner of speaking?"
"Just a manner of speaking. . . . You may call it that, mademoiselle. Do you not think that he looks rather ducal?"
"I tried not to think of him at all. I hate him!"
"Almost I begin to pity this Mr. Everard," quoth Jack.
The dimple peeped out.
"Then 'tis most ungallant of you, sir!" she reproved. "Do you know Mr. Everard?"
"I have certainly seen him before, madam."
Diana sat back on her heels and eyed him wonderingly.
"I believe you do not wish to answer me," she said slowly. "Tell me, is 'Everard' that man's real name?"
My lord twisted the ring on his finger uneasily. He did not feel himself at liberty to expose Belmanoir, and if he should reveal his true identity, it was quite possible that Mr. Beauleigh might seek him out, in which case he himself might be recognised. He looked up.
"Pardon me, mademoiselle, but whence this cross-examination?"
Diana nodded placidly.
"I thought you would refuse, but I have discovered something that will confound you, sir!" She rose to her feet. "I will go and get it."
She walked gracefully away towards the house, and my lord watched her go.
"Now I am going to ask a question," broke in Miss Betty's voice.
He threw out an imploring hand.
"Madam, I beg you will consider my feeble condition Am I fit to bear the strain, think you?"