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Updated: May 15, 2025
I repeat that you are the last man in London whom I should have expected to hear make such a remark, for the simple reason that every one believes you are going to marry Miss L'Estrange yourself." Lord Arleigh's face flushed hotly. "Then 'every one, as you put it, Sir Alfred, takes a great liberty an unauthorized liberty with the name of a very charming lady.
The explanation had been made; there was no longer even a shadow between them; they both understood that the weak, nonsensical tie was broken. That they were the dearest of friends, and quite happy, would have been Lord Arleigh's notion of matters. Philippa L'Estrange might have told a different story. The proposed party at Beechgrove did not come off.
But no answering enthusiasm shone in Miss Arleigh's face, and Adelaide noticed it. "Allan will enjoy himself so much here," she continued. "Ah! Marion, the sight of you will be like sunshine to flowers to him." But Miss Arleigh did not look delighted; she was thinking more of how she could keep such a secret from her good, kind guardians than of any pleasure in meeting her lover.
The figures in it are those of a dark-haired, handsome boy of three whose hand is filled with cherries, and a lovely little girl, with hair like sunshine and a face like a rosebud, who is accepting the rich ripe fruit. Those who understand smile as they look at this painting, for the dark-haired boy is the son and heir of the Duke of Hazlewood, and the fair-faced girl is Lord Arleigh's daughter.
That was Miss Arleigh's first interview with her admirer, the second was, he assured her, for the sake of the picture the third, that he might see how the picture was going on the fourth, that she might see it completed the fifth, because she found the flattery of his love so irresistible she could no longer do without it the sixth, because she began to fall in love with him herself and then she lost all count, she lived for those interviews, and nothing else.
So she escaped; and no one associated the Duchess of Hazlewood with Lord Arleigh's strange marriage. She knew that when her husband returned she would have to give some kind of explanation; but she was quite indifferent about that. Her life, she said to herself, was ended.
At first the duchess drew back with a haughty gesture. "It was you I came to see," she said to Lord Arleigh; and then the sweet face touched her and her better self prevailed. "Madaline," she said, quietly, "you have suffered much through me will you pardon me?" The next moment Lady Arleigh's arms were clasped round her neck, and the pure sweet lips touched her own.
He saw her lovely face grow crimson, and bending her fair, shapely head, she whispered: "Papa, does Lord Arleigh know?" "Lord Arleigh!" he repeated. "My dear child, this is the second time you have mentioned him. What has he to do with you?" She looked up at him in wonder. "Do you not know?" she asked. "Have they not told you I am Lord Arleigh's wife?"
"There is one thing I can do which would not only be of material benefit to them, but would make your daughter very happy. It cannot be done unless we can prove your innocence." "Poor little Madaline," said the convict, quietly "poor, pretty little girl!" Lord Arleigh's whole soul revolted on hearing this man speak so of his fair, young wife.
The earl looked with great interest at Lady Arleigh's dwelling-place. "It is very pretty," he said "pretty and quiet; but it must be dull for a young girl. You said she was young, did you not?" "Yes, she is years younger than I am," replied Lord Arleigh. "Poor girl!" said the earl, pityingly; "it must be rather a sad fate so young and beautiful, yet condemned all her life to live alone.
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