Léonie spoke aggrievedly.
‘I am not as feather-brained as Rupert. You are very unkind to say so, Monseigneur.’
Rupert looked at her admiringly.
‘That’s it, Léonie. Stand up to him, and hit out from the shoulder. It’s more than I ever did in my life!’
‘I am not afraid of Monseigneur,’ said Léonie, elevating her small nose. ‘You are just a coward, Rupert.’
‘My child’ – the Duke turned his head – ‘you forget yourself. You owe some gratitude to Rupert.’
‘Hey, up I go, and down you go!’ said Rupert. ‘Ecod, it’s a see-saw we’re on!’
‘Monseigneur, I have been grateful to Rupert all the morning, and now I am not going to be grateful any longer. It makes me cross.’
‘So I observe. Your manners leave much to be desired.’
‘I think that you are very cross too,’ Léonie ventured. ‘Voyons, what does it matter that Gaston does not come? He is silly, and fat, and Madame Field is like a hen. We do not want them.’
‘Here’s a fine philosophic spirit!’ cried Rupert. ‘You used to be much the same yourself, Justin. What’s come over you?’
Léonie turned to him in triumph.
‘I told you he was different, Rupert, and you would only laugh! I never saw him so disagreeable before.’
‘Lud, it’s easy to see you’ve not lived with him long!’ said Rupert, audaciously.
His Grace came away from the window.
‘You’re an unseemly pair,’ he said. ‘Léonie, you were wont to respect me more.’
She saw the smile in his eyes, and twinkled responsively.
‘Monseigneur, I was a page then, and you would have punished me. Now I am a lady.’
‘And do you think I cannot still punish you, my child?’
‘Much she’d care!’ chuckled Rupert.
‘I should care!’ Léonie shot at him. ‘I am sorry if Monseigneur only frowns!’
‘The Lord preserve us!’ Rupert closed his eyes.
‘A little more,’ said his Grace, ‘and you will not get up to-day, my son.’
‘Oh, ay! You’ve the whip-hand!’ sighed Rupert. ‘I’m silenced!’ He shifted his position, and winced a little.
The Duke bent over him to rearrange the pillows.
‘I am not sure that you will get up at all to-day, boy,’ he said. ‘Is it easier?’
‘Ay – I mean, I hardly feel it now,’ lied his lordship. ‘Damme, I won’t stay abed any longer, Justin! At this rate we’ll never start for Paris!’
‘We shall await your convenience,’ said Avon.
‘Mightily condescending of you,’ smiled Rupert.
‘You are not to be impertinent to Monseigneur, Rupert,’ said Léonie sternly.