“He leaned forward to look at it. At that very moment the footman, George Olte, entered the room. He started back, pretended to show great confusion and surprise, apologized in a stammering voice, and vanished. “I looked at the duke and laughed. “‘The man has been drinking,’ I said; ‘Sir Alfred ought to know of it.’ “But the duke did not even smile; he looked distressed, confused, then put down the book, and, with a murmured apology, quitted the room. “‘The world is all alike this morning,’ I said to myself. “It happened to be the very day the Duke of Launceston had fixed upon for his departure. After lunch, as I was walking through the hall, he stood with some letters in his hands. He was no more to me than any other guest in the house; but as he had been kind to me, and I had no dislike to him, I went up to him and expressed polite regret at his departure. Captain Pierrepont was near, giving some directions to Olte, the footman I particularly disliked. In a few minutes I became aware that their conversation had entirely ceased and they were listening to mine. Indignant at the insolence, and resolved to complain of it to my husband, I turned away, alas! The duke went, and I forgot in very few hours that such a person existed. I have better reason to remember it now. Can you, Mr. Eyrle, can you, Miss Hanson, imagine what my feelings were when I tell you that very day my husband sent me word that he wished particularly to see me in the library? I was doing something, I do not remember what, but it was something I did not care to leave. I sent my maid to ask if it would do in an hour’s time, when I had finished. The answer was most peremptory. No! Sir Alfred wished to see me at once on most important business. I knew no more what was hanging over my head than a child knows its future. When the library door opened I was surprised to see Captain Pierrepont standing by the table. Sir Alfred was seated in his favorite chair. I went up to him. “‘Did you want me, Alfred, so urgently?’ I asked. “‘I do,’ was the brief reply. Then, after a moment’s silence, he continued: ‘I wish to speak to you on a most unpleasant and delicate matter.’ “I looked at him with some little indignation. “‘Do you know,’ I asked, ‘that Captain Pierrepont is here?’ “‘He is here by my wish,’ replied my husband, gravely, ‘to bear witness to what I say.’ “There was something so stern in his face--remember, I loved him then--that my eyes filled with tears and my heart beat with fear, yet spirit and pride were both aroused in me. “‘I object, Sir Alfred; if you have anything to say I am most willing to listen, but not in the presence of Captain Pierrepont.’ “‘A very bad sign; a sure sign of guilt,’ said the captain to my husband. “I turned to him haughtily. “‘Why do you, sir, stand here like a shadow between my husband and me?’ “‘Madam,’ he replied, gravely, ‘I am a witness.’ “I did not understand him in the least. “My husband rose from his chair.