And there is Reve de Noir."
"Yes, did Reve de Noir recognize you?"
"I have not caught his eye. You know, Sir, that this Reve is not, and
never was, like other men; he is a devil. One knows, and one does not know
him."
"Were you at the door when the Duke entered?"
"I think not; at least--I cannot tell. When I first saw him, he was in the
room, speaking with Madam Denslow."
"Nalson, you have done wrong; no one should have entered unannounced. Send
the doorkeeper to me."
The doorkeeper came; a gigantic negro, magnificently attired.
"Jupiter, you were at the door when the Duke of Rosecouleur entered?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Did the Duke and his man come in a carriage?"
"Yes, Sir,--a hack."
"You may go. They are not devils," said Dalton, musingly, "or they would
not have come in a carriage."
"You seem to have studied the spiritual mode of locomotion," said I.
Dalton frowned. "This is serious, De Vere."
"What mean you?"
"I mean that Denslow is a bankrupt."
"Explain yourself."
"You know what an influence he carries in political circles. The G----rs,
the S----es, and their kind, have more talent, but Denslow enjoys the
secret of popularity."
"Well, I know it."
"In the middle counties, where he owns vast estates, and has been liberal
to debtors and tenants, he carries great favor; both parties respect him
for his ignorance and pomposity, which they mistake for simplicity and
power, as usual.
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