Page:Hope-indiscretions of duchess.djvu/158

146 nodded most emphatically, and turned to her cup again.

The name of Marie Delhasse, shot forth from Mme. de Saint-Maclou’s pouting lips, pierced the cloud that had seemed to envelop my brain. I sat up on the sofa and looked eagerly at the duchess.

“You saw her, then, at the convent?” I asked.

“Yes, I met her in the chapel. Really, I should have expected to be safe from her there. And the Mother would not turn her out!” And then the duchess, by a sudden transition, said to me, with a half-apologetic, half challenging smile: “You got my note, I suppose, Mr. Aycon?”

For a minute I regarded the duchess. And I smiled, and my smile turned to a laugh as I answered:

“Oh, yes! I got the note.”

“I meant it,” said she. “But I suppose I must forgive you now. You’ve been so brave, and you’re so much hurt.” And the duchess’ eyes expressed a gratifying admiration of my powers.

I fingered my arm, which lay comfortably enough in the bandages and the sling that Suzanne’s care had provided for it. And I rose to my feet.

“Oh, you mustn’t move!” cried the duchess, rising also and coming to where I stood.

“By Jove, but I must!” said I, looking at the clock. “The duke’s got four hours’ start of me.”