Chapter SixThere was only the Duc at luncheon and it was a great relief to Arletta that the Comte was not present.
To her surprise the Duc seemed to be in a very good temper and told interesting stories about the Château and she thought for the moment at any rate that he had ceased hating her.
He was pleasant too to the children and did not sneer at them or speak disparagingly about their learning English.
“What are you going to do this afternoon?” he asked as luncheon finished.
There was a little pause before Arletta replied,
“I had hoped, monsieur, that David and I might go riding again as it is such a lovely day, but, of course, if you think it is too much, we could easily do something else.”
“I think it is an excellent idea if you keep under the trees where it is cool,” the Duc a
