"It seems almost incredible," said Earle, "for one so highly placed, so constantly guarded as you must have been, Lady Hereford." "It was difficult; but I will confess my own duplicity. I told my mother that I was going to spend two days with Lady Agnes, and I went accompanied by my maid. It was a very easy matter, on the morning of the second day, to escape from Lady Agnes, under some slight pretext, and meet Captain Studleigh. We were married in some old gray church by the river; and when I returned to Twickenham I did not even dare to tell my best friend. Yet I remember so well the almost delicious happiness--perhaps all the sweeter that it was kept so silent--the happiness of knowing that I had proved to my husband how dearly I loved him; the happiness of knowing how great were the sacrifices I made for him. Ah, surely he would be content now, when for his sake I made myself a living lie--I wore a mask that hid me from the parents who loved me--surely he would be satisfied now! I dared not tell Lady Delapain what I had done. Imprudent as she was, she would never have countenanced that. "For some weeks we were happy. My whole life became one intrigue, arranging how to meet my husband, and how much time it was possible to spend with him without being found out. Security made me reckless. Whenever I met him I used to deceive my mother by telling her I had been with Lady Agnes. One evening, when we were going to some great state entertainment, I remained with him later than I should have done--time had flown so quickly I had not measured its flight--and I was late for dressing. The duchess was not well pleased, although she did not say much; but a few days afterward Lady Agnes called and wanted me to go out with her. My mother said 'Yes,' but added, that I must be more careful, as I had been too late on Tuesday.' "'But Lady Estelle was not with me on Tuesday,' said Lady Agnes, quickly. And my mother looked at her in deepest wonder. "'Not with _you_!' she cried. 'Where was she, then?' "I turned to my friend, and she alone saw the hot flush on my face. "'You forget,' I said. "Some inkling of the truth came to her, and she murmured confusedly that she had forgotten. The duchess looked perfectly satisfied; but when she had quitted the room, Lady Agnes said to me: "'Estelle, I do not quite understand; I never saw you on Tuesday.' "'I know that,' was my curt reply. "'Then why did you tell your mother you had been with me?' "'Because I did not wish her to know where I had been,' I replied. "She kissed me, and said, sadly: "'You have secrets even from me, then?' "And I answered: "'Yes.' "She looked very unhappy. "'Estelle,' she said, 'I hope I have not been foolish, and aided you in folly?' "But I would not listen to her--I only laughed. After that Lady Agnes became more cautious. I do not know whether she had any suspicion or not--she never expressed any to me.