me think. He has deceived me, then?"

"He has, and I have, yes," he said, averting his eyes from the misery
in her face. "Is it so hard and bitter a blow, Leslie?" he said after a
pause.

"Yes," she responded almost unconsciously. "I hoped that--that----. But
it does not matter. Nothing matters, now."

He fidgeted in his chair, and peered up at her curiously, strangely.

"Anyway, you know the truth now."

"Yes! I know the truth now," she echoed faintly. "Why," hoarsely, "why
did he do it?"

The duke bit his lip.

"It was more my fault than his. I ought to have told you. I did not
know--did not know that you would take it so much to heart. For God's
sake don't look so wretched, so heartbroken," he burst forth. "Leslie,
you make me feel like a criminal!"

She turnedlight was burning in his
eyes, a hectic flush on his pale and rather hollow cheeks. "Lady
Eleanor----."

"What is it?" she asked, almost frightened by the change in his manner,
by the subdued eagerness and earnestness where a few minutes ago was
only polite indifference.

"Lady Eleanor, if I consent to help you, I can do so on one condition."

"Yes! What is that?" she asked, trembling a little.

"That you follow my instructions to the letter. That you leave the
whole matter to me, and offer no opposition to anything I may direct
or do. I see--mark me!--I see a small chance, a slight hope of saving
Lord Auchester from this," he smiled scornfully, "ruinous marriage. It
is but slight, and to do anything with it I must have a free hand. Will
you give it me?"

"I will," she