Later on that afternoon the heat seemed to have increased, not lessened, and the ladies had declared even the cool, shaded drawing-room, with its sweet scents and mellowed light, to be too warm; so they had gone out on to the lawn, where a sweet western wind was blowing.

Lady Peters had taken with her a book, which she made some pretense of reading, but over which her eyes closed in most suspicious fashion.

The duchess, too, had a book, but she made no pretense of opening it--her beautiful face had a restless, half-wistful expression.

They had quitted the drawing-room all together, but Madaline had gone to gather some peaches.

The duchess liked them freshly gathered, and Madaline knew no delight so keen as that of giving her pleasure.
When she had been gone some few minutes, Lord Arleigh asked where she was, and the duchess owned, laughingly, to her fondness for ripe, sun-kissed peaches.
"Madaline always contrives to find the very best forms," she said.