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Once or twice he fancied he saw the glimmer of a white dress between the trees. He wondered if she felt shy at seeing him, as he did at seeing her. Then suddenly it was as though a bright light had fallen from the skies he came upon her standing under a great linden tree. "Madaline!" he said, gently. And she came to him with outstretched hands.
I will keep her for my own." "What is her name?" asked Lord Arleigh. The duchess laughed. "Ah, now, man-like, you are growing curious! I shall not tell you. Yes, I will; it is the name above all others for an ideal Madaline." "Madaline," he repeated; "it is very musical Madaline." "It suits her," said the duchess; "and now, Norman, I must go. I have some pressing engagements to-day."
"No," returned he; "it was so remarkably unpleasant, Madaline, I could not wish for a repetition;" and then they went back to the house together. "Norman," said Madaline, as they stood before the great Gothic porch, "will you wait until to-morrow before you tell the duchess?" "No," he laughed, "I shall tell her this very day."
"And you remember no more than that about him, Madaline?" "No," she replied. "Then came a time," she went on, "when it seemed to me that my mother spent all her days and nights in weeping. There fell a terrible shadow over us, and we removed. I have no recollection of the journey not the faintest; but I can remember my sorrow at leaving the bright green woods for a dull, gloomy city lodging.
If the earl lived until little Madaline reached her third year, then he would tell him his secret; the child would be pretty and graceful she would, in all probability, win his love. He could not let it go on longer than that. Madaline could not remain unknown and uncared for in that little county town; it was not to be thought of.
When dinner was ended he asked her if she was tired. "No," she answered, laughingly; "I have never felt less fatigued." "Then I should like to show you over the house," he said "my dear old home. I am so proud of it, Madaline; you understand what I mean proud of its beauty; its antiquity proud that no shadow of disgrace has ever rested on it.
"Still better," he said, kissing the beautiful, blushing face. "Now go, Madaline. I understand the feminine liking for a cup of tea." "Shall I send one to you?" she asked. "No," he replied, laughingly. "You may teach me to care about tea in time. I do not yet."
What is the trouble that has taken away the roses and put lilies in their place?" "I have no trouble, Lord Arleigh," she replied. "I came here only to think." "To think of what, sweet?" Her face flushed. "I cannot tell you," she answered. "You cannot expect that I should tell you everything." "You tell me nothing, Madaline.
Remember, I do not blame you, nor does she. Believing what you did, you acted for the best. We can only thank Heaven that the mystery is solved; and you can take a fair and noble maiden, who will bring honor to your race, to your home." "My love," said Madaline, "it seems to me a happy dream." When Lord Arleigh looked around again the earl had vanished and he was alone with his fair young wife.
They were blessed with youth, beauty, health; there had been no one to raise the least opposition to their marriage; before them stretched a long golden future. The carriage met them at the station, it was then three in the afternoon, and the day continued fair. "We will have a long drive through the park, Madaline," said Lord Arleigh. "You will like to see your new home."
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