She had her bonnet on, ready for the walk of
confidence, and, her face flushed with delight, she looked even
beautiful. 'Ah!' she exclaimed, 'I have been looking for you, Tancred!'
[Illustration: frontis-p72]
CHAPTER VIII.
_The Decision_
THE duke returned rather late from Bellamont, and went immediately to
his dressing-room. A few minutes before dinner the duchess knocked at
his door and entered. She seemed disconcerted, and reminded him, though
with great gentleness, that he had gone out to-day without first bidding
her adieu; she really believed it was the only time he had done so since
their marriage. The duke, who, when she entered, anticipated something
about their son, was relieved by her remark, embraced her, and would
have affected a gaiety which he did not really feel.
'I am glad to hear that Brace dines here to-day, Kate, for I
particularly wanted to see him.'
The duchess did not reply, and seemed absent; the duke, to say
something, tying his cravat, kept harping upon Brace.
'Never mind Brace, George,' said the duchess; 'tell me what is this
about Tancred? Why is his coming into Parliament put off?'
The duke was perplexed; he wished to know how far at this moment his
wife was informed upon the matter; the feminine frankness of the
duchess put him out of suspense.
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