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But even
then the duchess had no pleasure in her parties; for, quaint rough
diamond though she herself might appear, the bluest of blue blood
ran in her veins; and, though her manner had the off-hand abruptness
and disregard of other people's feelings not unfrequently found in
old ladies of high rank, she was at heart a true gentlewoman, and
could always be trusted to say and do the right thing in moments of
importance: The late duke's language had been sulphurous and his
manners Georgian; and when he had been laid in the unwonted quiet of
his ancestral vault--"so unlike him, poor dear," as the duchess
remarked, "that it is quite a comfort to know he is not really
there"--her Grace looked around her, and began to realise the
beauties and possibilities of Overdene.
At first she contented herself with gardening, making an aviary, and
surrounding herself with all sorts of queer birds and beasts; upon
whom she lavished the affection which, of late years, had known no
human outlet.


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