ut he put his card in
this envelope, and requested that I would hand it to you, madam. He says
he will only deliver the letter to your ladyship, and not detain you a
moment."

Lady Roehampton opened the envelope, and read the card, "The Duke of St.
Angelo."

"The Duke of St. Angelo!" she murmured to herself, and looked for a
moment abstracted. Then turning to the servant, she said, "He must be
shown up."

"Madam," said the duke as he entered, and bowed with much ceremony,
"I am ashamed of appearing to be an intruder, but my commands were to
deliver this letter to your ladyship immediately on my arrival, whatever
the hour. I have only this instant arrived. We had a bad passage. I know
your ladyship's carriage is at the door. I will redeem my pledge and not
trespass on your time for one instant. If your ladyship requires me, I
am ever at your command."

"At Carlton Gardens?"

"No; at our embassy."

"His Majesty, I hope, is well?"

"In every sense, my lady," and bowing to the ground the duke withdrew.

She broke the seal of the letter while still standing, and held it to a
sconce that was on the mantel-piece, and then she read:

"You were the only person I called upon when I suddenly left England.
I had no hope of seeing you, but it was the homage of gratitude and
adoration. Great events have happened since we last met. I have realised
my dreams, dreams which I sometimes fancied you, and you alone, did not
depreciate or discredit, and, in the sweetness of your charity, would
not have been sorry were they accomplished.

"I have established what I believe to be a strong and just government in
a great kingdom. I have not been uninfluenced by the lessons of wisdom I
gained in your illustrious land. I have done some things which it was a
solace for me to believe you would not altogether disapprove.

"My subjects are anxious that the dynasty I have re-established should
not be evanescent. Is it too bold to hope that I may find a companion
in you to charm and to counsel me? I can offer you nothing equal to your
transcendent merit, but I can offer you the heart and the throne of

"Florestan."

Still holding the letter in one hand, she looked around as if some one
might be present. Her cheek was scarlet, and there was for a moment an
expression of wildness in her glance. Then she paced the saloon with an
agitated step, and then she read the letter again and again, and still
she paced the saloon. The whole histo