Some said that she favored him; others denied it with more or less conviction and indignation.

But, whatever might chance to be the truth about that, it was plain that the duchess had something to say for herself when she declined to receive the lady.

Her refusal was no idle freak, but a fixed determination, to which she would probably adhere.

And, in fact, adhere to it she did, even under some considerable changes of circumstance..