ps while the wounds of former ones were
still fresh and bleeding; and I longed for change of scene and active
occupation, that I might have no time to reflect or look back.

Resolving to tender my resignation on the duke's staff without any
further loss of time, I set out at once for the Park. I arrived there in
the very nick of time; the carriages were at the entrance, waiting for
the private secretary of his grace and two of the aides-de-camp, who
were eating a hurried luncheon before starting. One of the aides-de-camp
I knew but slightly, the other was a perfect stranger to me; but the
secretary, Horton, was an intimate acquaintance. He jumped up from his
chair as my name was announced, and a deep blush covered his face as he
advanced to meet me.

'My dear Hinton, how unfortunate! Why weren't you here yesterday? It's
too late now.'

'Too late for what? I don't comprehend you.'

'Why, my dear fellow,' said he, drawing his arm within mine, and leading
me towards a window, as he dropped his voice to a whisper, 'I believe
you heard from me that his grace was provoked at your continued absence,
and expected at least that you would have written to ask an extension
of your leave. I don't know how it was, but it seemed to me that the
duchess came back from England with some crotchet in her head, about
something she heard in London. In any case, they ordered me to write.'

'Well, well,' said I impatiently; 'I guess it all. I have got my
dismissal. Isn't that the whole of it?'

He nodded twice, without speaking.

'It only anticipates my own wishes,' said I coolly, 'as this note may
satisfy you.' I placed the letter I had written for the purpose of my
resignation in his hand, and continued: 'I am quite convinced in my own
mind that his grace, whose kindness towards me has never varied, would
never have dreamed of this step on such slight grounds as my absence.
No, no; the thing lies deeper. At any other time I should certainly have
wished to trace this matter to its source; now, however, chiming as it
does with my own plans, and caring little how fortune intends to treat
me, I'll submit in silence.'

'And take no notice of the affair further?'

'Such is my determination,' said I resolutely.

'In that case,' said Horton, 'I may tell you that some story of a lady
had reached the duchess, when in London--some girl that it was reported
you endeavoured to seduce, and had actually followed for that purpose
to the west of