But the door opened, and Lady Victoria entered with her book.
"Oh!" said Lady Victoria.
"I must go and dress," said Claudius.
"We will go on with the book to-morrow," said the Countess.

And he bore away a light heart.
On the following day the Duke began to take care of the Countess, as he had done yesterday, and Barker turned on the fireworks of his conversation for the amusement of Claudius.

Claudius sat quite still for an hour or more, perhaps enjoying the surprise he was going to give the Duke and Barker.

As the latter finished a brilliant tale, for the veracity of which he vouched in every particular, Claudius calmly rose and threw away his cigarette.
"That is a very good story," he said.

"Good-bye for the present.