The Duchess of Dreams (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1908 Excerpt: ... PRECISELY at noon of the following day, Jack Borridaile's four-in-hand coach, the Fire-fly, drew up before the carriage door of StormclifF. The young man himself, freed of his diplomatic duties by a postponed sitting of the Commission, had arranged a party to drive to his little bungalow on the banks of the river, eat a picnic lunch, then home again in time for tea at StormclifF. Mrs. Rumbold, descending to take her place, was in a state of beatific satisfaction not easy to parallel. This picnic party of Jack's, while given ostensibly as an honor to her guest, might nevertheless be taken as a compliment, and as a delicious augur of the future, to herself and her daughter Letty. And for the present, the sight of the broad back of Mrs. Borridaile on the seat before her, which every few moments changed to the vision of an amiably smiling face, seemed quite enough to fill her cup of bliss. To say nothing of the dashing Kitty Marsten, or the polo champion she had brought with her, or of the celebrated senator who was for a few days honoring Stormcliff with his presence--Tomlinson of Virginia, a power in Copper, and associated with "Gentleman Jim" in the colossal B. & W. combine. The start was somewhat delayed by the Grand Duchess Varvara. Not indeed in consequence of the indisposition of last night, of which her bright eyes and cheeks bore not the slightest trace; but because she refused to mount to the box-seat till her pet Vassily (who made himself as limp and as heavy as possible for the occasion) had been hoisted there before her. As he showed his teeth at any groom who attempted to touch him, this manoeuvre was one of some difficulty. Finally, however, between Jack and the picturesque Petroff, the gigantic dog was squeezed in behind the dashboard. With a li...