She sat with
her hands folded listlessly, her eyes, full of dreamy sorrow, fixed on
the moving foliage of the woods. Presently Lady Peters entered with an
open newspaper in her hand.
"Philippa, my dear," she said, "I am very uncomfortable. Should you
think this paragraph refers to Lord Arleigh? It seems to do so--yet I
cannot believe it."
The deadly pallor that was always the sign of great emotion with the
duchess spread now even to her lips.
"What does it say?" she asked.
Lady Peters held the paper out to her; but her hands trembled so that
she could not take it.
"I cannot read it," she said, wearily. "Read it to me."
And then Lady Peters read:
"Scandal in High Life.--Some strange revelations are shortly
expected in aristocratic circles. A few days since a noble lord,
bearing one of the most ancient titles in England, was married. The
marriage took place under circumstances of great mystery; and the
mystery has been increased by the separation of bride and
bridegroom on their wedding-day. What has led to a separation is at
present a secret, but it is expected that in a few days all
particulars will be known.
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