He says it isn't necessary." "Rich is a fool," retorted her grace with much emphasis.

"He knows nothing about it.

Send him to me." Gay went about his errand half pleased, for he quite agreed with the duchess, and half in trepidation.

A quarrel between Rich and the lady autocrat might cause the opera to end in disaster.
Rich dared not offend Queensberry's duchess whose opinion went for so much among the aristocracy.

The stage was practically dependent on its noble patrons.