“Why should there be an unpleasant or difficult situation in the Duke’s house?” Helga asked.
Milly hesitated for a long moment.
Then she told her the truth.
“Because, my dear child, you will be playing the part of a lady, but the Duke will believe you to be an actress. And the two are very different things.”
“But he will treat me as he would if I was really his fiancée,” Helga said, “and as if I was a lady.”
Milly thought that her niece clearly had brains.
At the same time she could have no idea of the Duke’s character and reputation or of the number of his love affairs that were talked about and counted in the same way as a sportsman counted the birds he shot.
“I would not entertain the idea,” she now said aloud, “so there is no use talking about it, Helga. If I am to look after yo
