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"You couldn't be rude if you tried," said the Duchess, giving him a
playful slap with her fan.
She was burning with ardour to be the first to introduce such a lion to
the local society. But fearful of making a FAUX PAS, she said:
"You'll go and speak to him, Denis. Find out if it's the right one--the
one you read about in the paper, I mean. Then come and tell me."
"Good Lord, Duchess, don't ask me to do that! I couldn't tackle a
bishop. Not an African. Not unless he has a proper apron on."
"Be a man, Denis. He won't bite a pretty boy like you."
"What nice things the lady is saying to you," observed Don Francesco.
"She always does," he laughed, "when she wants me to do something for
her. I haven't been on this island long, but I have already found out
the Duchess! You do it, Don Francesco. He is sure to be the right one.
They get yellow, out there. Sometimes green."
Mr. Heard was intercepted on his way to the hotel by the genial priest,
and formally presented to the Duchess. She was more than condescending
to this stern and rather tired-looking man; she was gracious.


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