Page:Stories after Nature.pdf/116

92 too far into the country, or that being sick he took a change of air. But her love for the duke could penetrate too easily through a veil so thin. She called a page to her, and said, "This evening my lord purposes to ride; bring me thy dress, and hide thou in my chamber. Fear not, I will stand betwixt thee and all harm." The page did as she had requested; and having disguised herself, she rode out with her husband, went with him to the castle, and staid there that night. Having seen all that had passed, she returned in the morning, broken-hearted; and shutting herself in her chamber, fell sick.

During this time, Alfred, who had been grieving for her, not knowing of what she had done, had planned to steal the lady from the castle, and carry her by force into England; and by that means once more bring the duke back again to his fair duchess; but ere his plan was ripe, more fatal matter ensued. The duchess never revealing to the duke, nor any other person, that she knew of his perfidy, determined to wait patiently till he should again think of her. But the continual pain was too much for her; and it wore her pale, and as thin as death. All this the duke saw, but it did not alter him; and Alfred was an equal sufferer with the duchess.