XVII. A RELUCTANT INTRUSION

XVIII. A STRANGE GOOD HUMOR

XIX. UNSUMMONED WITNESSES

XX. THE DUKE'S EPITAPH

XXI. A PASSING CARRIAGE

XXII. FROM SHADOW TO SUNSHINE




THE INDISCRETION OF THE DUCHESS.




CHAPTER I.

A Multitude of Good Reasons.


In accordance with many most excellent precedents, I might begin by
claiming the sympathy due to an orphan alone in the world. I might even
summon my unguided childhood and the absence of parental training to
excuse my faults and extenuate my indiscretions. But the sympathy which I
should thus gain would be achieved, I fear, by something very like false