The Indiscretion of the Duchess / Being a Story Concerning Two Ladies, a Nobleman, and a Necklace

hrough

Table of

me rose the white walls of the convent; while on my left was the burying-ground with its arched gateway, inscribed "Mors janua vit?." I crossed the grass and rang a bell, that clanged again and again in echo. Nobody came. I pulled a second time and more violently. After some further delay the door was cautiously opened a little

litely, "but you evidently mis

h the two-inch gap my t

rules do not allow it. Indeed, I may not ta

ou would sh

ld not

harm," I

cked is infinite,'" r

Superior," said I. "Will

or was flung wide open, and a stout and sta

hear my errand you will thi

your busi

your ear al

in here," said

. Then the simplest solution

ome out, madam

hind her. I caught a glimpse of the little nun's face, and thought there was a look of disappo

"whether you have heard

e very much to blame. You have led this innocent, tho

aid I to myself; but of course

ver, observe that the present position of the duchess is not due to my

e!" interrupted the Mo

harmingly inappropriate to a graveyard-the duchess herself, looking as fresh as a daisy,

e the most delightful man alive! You

d, be sober!" murm

Do you know anything, Mr. Aycon? What has been ha

nd I, standing, told my story. The duchess was amused to hear of old Jean's chase of her; but she showed no astonishment

ve seen her?" she burst

dsome," said I. "Moreover,

lips-to reprove me, no doubt;

ndignation, that was, I think, for the most part feigned. Certainly the duchess did not

?" said she solemnly. "He is nothin

o Mlle. Delhasse," said the duchess, with a

very angry with m

sked the duc

he ought to wait for an invitation fro

l the Day of Judgmen

er," observed the Mo

e path that encircled the group of graves. Her eye had bidden me, and I followed no less briskly. I heard a despa

talk," said

r she threw at me th

e with Mlle. Delhasse. If you do

bly accept that among the other d

rude," observ

if' in it is rude,

n love with somebody,

proaches a neces

me. Perhaps I had gla

he, "hadn't we bet

tter," said I;

sked, with a return to h

ng," s

safest advice-to w

e position? You like bei

e hard to pleas

you shan't. Mr. Aycon, suppose my husban

thought

t have you

t happens. But won't he be th

rst place, he will want no scandal. In the second, he

The duchess assigned to her the sini

means to get you to g

have been glad. Now he will wait; for if he came here an

in this; the duchess

"I had better go

ot seem to v

aid I, looking round at the nunnery

o another hotel

what is going on at my present hotel," s

most-" bega

g was lost. Slow but sure, the M

r. Aycon,

she must manage t

though there was not

as though she would have

gateway and crossing the paddock. Bu

come again

s I reached the top, however, I came plump on Mlle. Delhasse, who appeared to be taking a walk. She bowed to me slightly and coldly. Glad that she was so distant (for I did not like her looks), I returned her sa

s who have rooms on the first floo

e for the first

haps waiters are bred to sus

nterest you to know that a gentlem

out ten

I, handing him the

-Maclou," he whisp

in some alarm. I had n

alf-hou

ee both t

e went out immediately on his a

ademoi

in her

me nothing but what I had expected to hear-I was about to pass on, when h

ng up to you

," sa

y," he said-though his escort

ite to us, not three yards away, was the door of the si

n," s

ent, sir,

hand in the attitude

pologetically; "but it is so strange. I

ery of the fellow's manner and the concern of hi

lsive. It went to my heart to hear them. I did not know what to do. To go on upstairs to my own room and mind my own business seemed the simple thing-simple, easy, and proper. But my feet were glued

e is so beautifu

is it of yours?" said I,

leave it to you, sir;" and without

ailing that simple, easy, proper, and impossible c

d softly. There was no answer. The sobs continued. I had been a brut

the matter with

opened the

ting in her hands and her hands on the tabl

n head, there lay a square leathern box.

l; but it might prove to have in store for me more di