If you really
wish to know who she is I will tell you; but you must give me your word
not to mention it."
"I promise," he replied.
He wondered why the beautiful face grew crimson and the dark eyes
dropped.
"She is a poor relative of ours," said the duchess, "poor, you
understand--nothing else."
"Then she is related to the duke?" he interrogated.
"Yes, distantly; and, after a fashion, we have adopted her. When she
marries we shall give her a suitable dot. Her mother married
unfortunately."
"Still, she was married?" said Lord Arleigh.
"Yes, certainly; but unhappily married. Her daughter, however, has
received a good education, and now she will remain with us. But, Norman,
in this I may trust you, as in everything else?"
"You may trust me implicitly," he replied.
"The duke did not quite like the idea of having her to live with us at
first--and I do not wish it to be mentioned to him. If he speaks of it
to you at all, it will be as my caprice. Let it pass--do not ask any
questions about her; it only annoys her--it only annoys him. She is very
happy with me. You see," she continued, "women can keep a secret.
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