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UCETTE had had her own troubles as well. Never before had such a mischance occurred as that of the previous evening in the pine walk; and the fact that she was merely tricking Dauban in order to wheedle the truth out of him had not helped her with her lover in the least.

The thrashing administered to Dauban had relieved some of Denys' wrath; but the hard blows for him had been followed by some equally hard words for Lucette, with many hot and bitter reproaches; none the less stinging because for once undeserved. And she had not been able to make peace with him.

Worst of all, he had ridden away that morning without so much as a word to her; and she was angry at his obduracy and wounded by his neglect, and still more angry with herself for caring so much.

Gabrielle, quick to notice the troubles of those about her, had seen Lucette's woe-begone, doleful looks and questioned her before the Duke's visit; but now for the moment she was wholly engrossed by the perplexity in which that visit had left her.

"What can he want of me, Lucette?" she asked again and again, until Lucette had a suggestion to make, born of her own belief of the Duke's purpose and intended as a warning for Gabrielle.

"Why not take counsel of the Duchess? She is a true friend of yours, Gabrielle, and a good woman."

"It is a good thought. I will go to her to-day. I