She spoke in a dreamy voice as if she had forgotten who she was speaking to.
“I hardly think it would be possible to visit the Caucasus at the moment,” the Duke said, “but if you are keen on forests I would recommend Austria and, of course, the Black Forest.”
Elfa made a little sound that had something ecstatic about it and then, as if she suddenly came back to earth, she ventured,
“I am sure such places would bore your Lordship, but I believe you have very fine woods on the Lynchester Estate, finer even than ours.”
“I have not had any opportunity of comparing the two,” the Duke replied, “but I would naturally wish to think that mine are the finer.”
She smiled at him and he saw her dimples.
“I shall be looking forward to telling you whether you are right or wrong.”
“If you are the s
