Meredith turned from the window, to which he had gone back. "The carriage has just arrived," he announced, and he stood fidgeting, standing first on one foot, then on the other, and running his hand through his mane of gray hair. His large features were pale, and any close observer would have detected the quiver of emotion. A sound of voices from the anteroom, the Duchess's light tones floating to the top. At the same time a door on the other side of the drawing-room opened and the Duke of Crowborough appeared. "I think I hear my wife," he said, as he greeted Montresor and hurriedly crossed the room. There was a rustle of quick steps, and the little Duchess entered. "Freddie, here is Julie!" Behind appeared a tall figure in black. Everybody in the room advanced, including Lady Henry, who, however, after a few steps stood still behind the others, leaning on her stick. Julie looked round the little circle, then at the Duke of Crowborough, who had gravely given her his hand. The suppressed excitement already in the room clearly communicated itself to her. She did not lose her self-command for an instant, but her face pleaded. "Is it really true? Perhaps there is some mistake?" "I fear there can be none," said the Duke, sadly. "Poor Chudleigh had been long dead when they found him." "Freddie," said the Duchess, interrupting, "I have told Greswell we shall want the carriage at half-past nine for Euston. Will that do?" "Perfectly." Greswell, the handsome groom of the chambers, approached Julie. "Your grace's maid wishes to know whether it is your grace's wish that she should go round to Heribert Street before taking the luggage to Euston?" Julie looked at the man, bewildered. Then a stormy color rushed into her cheeks. "Does he mean my maid?" she said to the Duke, piteously. "Certainly. Will you give your orders?" She gave them, and then, turning again to the Duke, she covered her eyes with her hands a moment. "What does it all mean?" she said, faltering. "It seems as though we were all mad." "You understand, of course, that Jacob succeeds?" said the Duke, not without coldness; and he stood still an instant, gazing at this woman, who must now, he supposed, feel herself at the very summit of her ambitions. Julie drew a long breath. Then she perceived Lady Henry. Instantly, impetuously, she crossed the room. But as she reached that composed and formidable figure, the old timidity, the old fear, seized her. She paused abruptly, but she held out her hand. Lady Henry took it. The two women stood regarding each other, while the other persons in the room instinctively turned away from their meeting. Lady Henry's first look was one of curiosity. Then, before the indefinable, ennobling change in Julie's face, now full of the pale agitation of memory, the eyes of the older woman wavered and dropped. But she soon recovered herself.