Véronique would not let me go to bed, she insisted upon my eating, and
then after dinner I sat in an old but lovely wrap of white crêpe, and she
brushed out my hair for more than an hour--there is such a tremendous lot
of it, it takes time.
I sat in front of the sitting-room fire and tried not to think. One does
feel a wretch after a scene like that. At about half-past nine I heard
noises in the passage of people, and with only a preliminary tap Robert
and Lady Merrenden came into the room. I started up, and Véronique dropped
the brush in her astonishment, and then left us alone.
Both their eyes were shining and excited, and Robert looked crazy with
joy; he seized me in his arms, and kissed me, and kissed me, while Lady
Merrenden said, "You darling Evangeline! you plucky, clever girl! Tell us
all about it!"
"About what?" I said, as soon as I could speak.
"How you managed it."
"Oh, I must kiss her first, Aunt Sophia!" said Robert. "Did you ever see
anything so divinely lovely as she looks with her hair all floating like
this, and it is all mine, every bit of it!"
"Yes, it is," I said, sadly, "and that is about all of value you will
get."
"Come and sit down," said Robert, "Evangeline, you darling--and look at
this."
Upon which he drew from his pocket a note. I saw at once it was the duke's
writing, and I shivered with excitement. He held it before my eyes.
"Dear Robert," it began. "I have seen her. I am conquered. She will make a
magnificent duchess. Bring her to lunch to-morrow. Yours, TORQUILSTONE."