re rumours of his uncle's marriage. Lady
Glencora went to Park Lane early on the Tuesday morning, but she did
not take her boy with her. She understood that Madame Goesler might
perhaps indulge in a little gentle raillery at the child's expense,
and the mother felt that this might be borne the more easily if the
child were not present.

"I have come to thank you for your letter, Madame Goesler," said Lady
Glencora, before she sat down.

"Oh, come ye in peace here, or come ye in war, or to dance at our
bridal?" said Madame Goesler, standing up from her chair and
laughing, as she sang the lines.

"Certainly not to dance at your bridal," said Lady Glencora.

"Alas! no. You have forbidden the banns too effectually for that, and
I sit here wearing the willow all alone. Why shouldn't I be allowed
to get married as well as another woman, I wonder? I think you have
been very hard upon me among you. But sit down, Lady Glencora. At any
rate you come in peace."

"Certainly in peace, and with much admiration,--and a great deal of
love and affection, and all that kind of thing, if you will only
accept it."

"I shall be too proud, Lady Glencora;--for the Duke's sake, if for no
other reason."

"And I have to make my apology."

"It was made as soon as your carriage stopped at my door with
friendly wheels. Of course I understand. I can know how terrible it
all was to you,--even though the dear little Plantagenet might not
have been in much danger. Fancy what it would be to disturb the
career of a Plantagenet! I am far too well read in history, I can
assure you."

"I said a word for which I am sorry, and which I should not have
said."

"Never mind the word. After all, it was a true word. I do not
hesitate to say so now myself, though I will allow no other woman
to say it,--and no man either. I should have degraded him,--and
disgraced him." Madame Goesler now had dropped the bantering tone
which she had assumed, and was speaking in sober earnest. "I, for
myself, have nothing about me of which I am ashamed. I have no
history to hide, no story to be brought to light to my discredit.
But I have not been so born, or so placed by circumstances, as make
me fit to be the wife of the Duke of Omnium. I should not have been
happy, you know."

"You want nothing, dear Madame Goesler. You have all that society can
give you."

"I do not know about that. I have much given to me by society, but
there are many things that I want;--a bri