There was a sudden bitterness in her tone as she finished,
“In point of fact you have no superior in France, although perhaps the Marques Alvaro de Oliveira Vasconles would not consider himself your inferior.”
Unexpectedly Felicita laughed.
“The Marques – ?” she asked. “But he thinks himself better than anybody in the whole of Portugal. I suspect that he also includes France.”
“Then that is why we must disillusion him!”
Felicita looked at the Duchesse in surprise.
“The Marques?”
“I want you to meet him, my child, and it will be very disappointing if he considers you are nothing but dirt beneath his feet.”
Felicita laughed again.
“That is exactly what he will think.”
“Not if he believes you to be a de Monreuil!”
Felicita drew in her breath.
“Are you telling me, madame, that I am
