"This will soon be over now," said Frank, to himself, thankfully; for, though he be no means despised good claret, he had lost his temper too completely to enjoy it at the present moment.

But he was much mistaken; the farce as yet was only at its commencement.

The duke took his cup of coffee, and so did the few friends who sat close to him; but the beverage did not seem to be in great request with the majority of the guests.

When the duke had taken his modicum, he rose up and silently retired, saying no word and making no sign.

And then the farce commenced.
"Now, gentlemen," said Mr Fothergill, cheerily, "we are all right.
Apjohn, is there claret there?
Mr Bolus, I know you stick to the Madeira; you are quite right, for there isn't much of it left, and my belief is there'll never be more like it." And so the duke's hospitality went on, and the duke's guests drank merrily for the next two hours.
"Shan't we see any more of him ?" asked Frank.
"Any more of whom ?" said Mr Athill.
"Of the duke ?" "Oh, no; you'll see no more of him.