She was now the centre of the situation: she had asserted herself, and her money.

Marcus outdid himself in homage.

Lelius in the background looked on, a sarcastic smile hidden by his fair moustache.

Mrs.Fairmile, too, smiled; Roger had grown rather hot; and the Duchess was frankly annoyed.
"I surrender it to _force majeure_," she said, as Daphne took it from her.

"Why are we not all Americans ?" And then, leaning back in her chair, she would talk no more.