"I did not notice it, Madaline," she said; "but there is no need for anxiety about me," she added, proudly. They re-entered the house together. Madaline believed that the duchess was thinking of and grieving over the departure of the duke. Lady Peters thought the same. They both did their best to comfort her--to amuse her and distract her thoughts. But the absent expression did not die from her dark eyes. When they had talked to her some little time she took up the "Lady of Lyons." "How much you admire that play," said Madaline; "I see you reading it so often." "I have a fancy for it," returned the duchess; "it suits my taste. And I admire the language very much." "Yet it is a cruel story," observed Madaline; "the noblest character in it is _Pauline_." "She was very proud; and pride, I suppose, must suffer," said the duchess, carelessly. "She was not too proud, after all, to love a noble man, when she once recognized him, duchess." "She learned to love the prince--she would never have loved the gardener," remarked Philippa; "it was a terrible vengeance." "I do not like stories of vengeance," said Madaline. "After all, though, I love the _Claude_ of the story, and find much true nobility in him--much to admire. When reading the play I am tempted all the time to ask myself, How could he do it? It was an unmanly act." There was a strange light in the dark eyes, a quiver on the scarlet lips, as Philippa said: "Do you think so? Suppose some one had offended you as _Pauline_ offended _Claude_--laughing at the love offered, scorned, mocked, despised you--and that such vengeance as his lay in your power; would you not take it?" The sweet face flushed. "No, I would rather die," Madaline replied, quickly. "I would take it, and glory in it," said the duchess, firmly "If I were wounded, insulted, and slighted as _Claude_ was, I would take the cruelest revenge that I could." Madeline took one of the jeweled hands in her own and kissed it. "I should never be afraid of you," she said; "you can never hurt any one. Your vengeance would end in the bestowal of a favor." "Do you think so highly of me, Madaline?" asked Philippa, sadly. "Think highly of you! Why, you would laugh if you knew how I loved you--how I adore you. If all the world were to swear to me that you could do the least thing wrong, I should not believe them." "Poor child!" said the duchess, sadly. "Why do you call me 'poor child?'" she asked, laughingly. "Because you have such implicit faith, and are sure to be so cruelly disappointed." "I would rather have such implicit faith, and bear the disappointment, than be without both," said Madaline. Chapter XIX. On the day of his departure the duke had said to his wife: "I have invited Norman to spend a few weeks with you; have some pleasant people to meet him. He tells me he shall not go to Scotland this year." "I will ask Miss Byrton and Lady Sheldon," Philippa had promised.