He rose, therefore, still talking, and, as the Duke rose also, cleverly led him round the chairs until within speaking distance of Margaret, who was still absorbed in her conversation.

Then, having finished the one thread, he turned round.
"By the by, Countess," he said, "I remember once--" and he told a graceful anecdote of Margaret's grandmother, which delighted every one, after which he bowed, like a young lover of twenty, to each of the three ladies, and departed.
The party dispersed, the Duke and Claudius for half an hour's chat and a cigar, and the ladies to their rooms.

But Claudius and Margaret lingered one moment in their corner, standing.
"Has it been a happy day for you ?" he asked, as she gave her hand.
"Yes, it has been happy.

May there be many like it!" she answered.
"There shall be," said Claudius; "good-night, Countess." "Good-night--good-night, Claudius." The Duke waited fully ten minutes for the Doctor.

It was the second time she had spoken his name without the formality of a prefix, and Claudius stood where she left him, thinking.