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"Yes, good ones," sighed the General. "Le bon Dieu knows that. But how often does a prospective employer get a firm offer of a guaranteed unimpeccable one? Does Lady Jane mention whether she is also impeachable and maculate?"

"Well, I didn't ask about her Religion," was the reply.

The General's smile again came out from hiding beneath his grizzled clipped moustache.

"She simply said we should be very lucky if we got this Miss Mary Stuart. She was ten years with the Alymer de Warennes, so her religion must be all right. You know how particular Yvonne is. And she is a lady."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that of Yvonne."

"I'm talking of Miss Mary Stuart. Lady Jane says she's a lady."

"She has always behaved like one to me," admitted the General.

"What, Mary Stuart?"

"No, Lady Jane."

Yes, this was proceeding nicely. A conversation according to plan, or at any rate, according to custom. Obviously the General was interested and amused, and all was for the best in the best of all possible ménages.

"Yes, dear. Well, she says that this Miss Mary Stuart is a gentlewoman, one of the nouveaux pauvres, you know. She says here, 'Her family never thought that...'"