fully.

During the morning she discussed with the excited and sympathetic
Millicent the coming interview. She had the advantage of going to it
in utter fearlessness. She knew the duke: he had been at Ricksborough
Court during ten days of her stay there; and she had seen something of
him every day. Also there had been the second and more violent meeting
in Piccadilly when he had picked her up and carried her off to
Ricksborough House under the firm conviction that she was his lost
daughter. As a result of these two meetings Pollyooly had made up her
mind that the duke was not a man to be feared by women. Millicent
admired her fearlessness greatly.

After their dinner Pollyooly put on her amber costume, a silk frock, a
pretty hat, stockings and gloves, all amber in colour and all matching,
gifts of Hilary Vance. Regarding her thus attired, Millicent's great
admiration became an even greater awe.

"Why, you look the perfect lydy," she said in a hushed voice.

"If I'm a red Deeping, I'm of the oldest blood in England, and I must
be a lady. Mr. Ruffin says so," said Pollyooly in the tone of one
quite sure of herself.

She charged Millicent to be very careful of the Lump, and to be sure to
have the kettle boiling by four o'clock so that, should she be detained
till then, she would have nothing to do on her return but forthwith
make the tea. Then she sallied forth.

As she came into Fleet Street she met the Honourable John Ruffin.

"Ah: so you're off to the fray," he said; and his eyes warmed to the
angel vision. "Well, you certainly have looks on your side; and that
is three-quarters of the woman's battle. It's rather a score for you,
too, that Osterley is one of the most susceptible dukes in England.
But remember: don't be too civil to him; just bow. And then be
firm--very firm."

"Yes, sir: I will," said Pollyooly very firmly indeed.

He stood considering her thoughtfully a moment; then he added:

"And I tell you what: if your prayers fail to move Osterley you might,
as a last resort, try a few tears. Tears are dreadful things; and
these cantankerous men can rarely stand them."

"Oh yes, sir: I will," said Pollyooly, her face growing bright with a
look of perfect understanding.

He conducted her to her omnibus, put her on it, and wished her good
luck.

Then he said after the bus had started:

"Don't forget the tears!"

He raised his voice in order to overcome the din of the traffic, and
succe