Titania lay and gasped. The relief was tremendous. Three hours ago she would have refused to think of Rivaulx as Pen’s husband. Now she welcomed the notion; she sighed and almost fainted. Rivaulx muttered strange things to himself. "Can I announce it?" "No," said the marquis, "it is a secret. But it is all right. I go." "Take my blessing," said Titania. "Go to her quickly, poor dear, and implore her to let me come to her, and bid her tell all the world. What is her address?" "I cannot give it," said Rivaulx, pallidly. "It is a secret. But I go, I hasten. Adieu, duchess; I am distracted. Oh, my mother and my country!" He fled from the room, and, leaving his man to bring on his things, went away at an illegal speed toward London. "Well, well," said Titania, with a gasp, "I cannot understand anything. But, after all, the marquis is a fine man and of a good family. I could almost sleep a little." But just as she was composing herself to rest, Mr. Plant sent up word that he wished to see her for a few moments on urgent business before he went back to town. "Let him come up," said the duchess. When Plant entered, he stood bolt upright in front of her, with a strange air of determination. "I shall surprise you, I reckon," he said, in an American accent as thick as petrol fumes. "I know I shall." "No, you won’t," said Titania. "Nothing can surprise me now, I assure you." "I shall surprise you, ma’am," said Plant, "and you’ll have to own it. Prepare yourself and remember that what I tell you is in the nature of a secret. I can stand it no longer. I have to let it out. To hear Lady Penelope, whom I adore, spoken of as I do, makes my blood boil. She may have made some mistakes, but I’ve made some, too. I am going to surprise you—" "No, you are not, Mr. Plant," said Titania. "I—I am Lady Penelope’s husband," said Plant, desperately, fixing his eyes on space. "You are _what_?" shrieked Titania. "Her husband—and—the parent of the announcement in the _Times_," said Plant, firmly. "Am I mad?" asked Titania. "No, but I am," said Plant, who was as pale as a traditional ghost. "I’m mad both ways. I want to kill." "You mustn’t," cried Titania, feebly. "I don’t know where I am. What did you say? Oh, say it again!" He said it again, and before she could say anything further, he rushed from the room and bounded down-stairs. She heard him turn his motor-car loose, and knew that in twenty seconds he was a mile away. "What’s wrong with everything, and me, and them?" asked Titania. "I wish I was a dairy-maid in a quiet farm, and had no relations. Am I mad? Did the marquis say it? Or did I dream it?" Lord Bramber was announced. "Oh, oh, oh!" said Titania. "Yes, I’ll see him." Bramber came in fuming, and, like the others, fixed his eyes over her head. He was nervous and abrupt. "I can’t stand any more, duchess," he began. "I can’t stand much," said Titania.