But he was many years my
senior, and I cannot say I loved him,--as I do you." Then she turned
to him, and put her head on his shoulder. "And I loved the old Duke,
too, after a fashion. But it was a different thing from this. I will
tell you something about him some day that I have never yet told to a
human being."
"Tell me now."
"No; not till I am your wife. You must trust me. But I will tell
you," she said, "lest you should be miserable. He asked me to be his
wife."
"The old Duke?"
"Yes, indeed, and I refused to be a--duchess. Lady Glencora knew it
all, and, just at the time I was breaking my heart,--like a fool, for
you! Yes, for you! But I got over it, and am not broken-hearted a
bit. Oh, Phineas, I am so happy now."
Exactly at the time she had mentioned on the previous evening, at
half-past twelve, the door was opened, and the Duchess entered the
room. "Oh dear," she exclaimed, "perhaps I am in the way; perhaps I
am interrupting secrets."
"No, Duchess."
"Shall I retire? I will at once if there be anything confidential
going on.
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