There was no slur on her
name; no stain on her character. What though her father had been a
small attorney, and her first husband a Jew banker! She had broken
no law of God or man, had been accused of breaking no law, which
breaking or which accusation need stand in the way of her being as
good a duchess as any other woman! She was sitting thinking of this,
almost angry with herself at the awe with which the proposed rank
inspired her, when Lady Glencora was announced to her.
"Madame Goesler," said Lady Glencora, "I am very glad to find you."
"And I more than equally so, to be found," said Madame Goesler,
smiling with all her grace.
"My uncle has been with you since I saw you last?"
"Oh yes;--more than once if I remember right. He was here yesterday
at any rate."
"He comes often to you then?"
"Not so often as I would wish, Lady Glencora. The Duke is one of my
dearest friends."
"It has been a quick friendship."
"Yes;--a quick friendship," said Madame Goesler. Then there was a
pause for some moments which Madame Goesler was determined that she
would not break. It was clear to her now on what ground Lady Glencora
had come to her, and she was fully minded that if she could bear the
full light of the god himself in all his glory, she would not allow
herself to be scorched by any reflected heat coming from the god's
niece.
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