CHAPTER XXVII.
Slowly, wonderingly, Lady Arleigh took the Duchess of Hazlewood's letter from her husband's hands and opened it.
"Is it from the duchess ?" she asked.
"Yes, it is from the duchess," replied her husband.
He saw her sink slowly down upon a lounge.

Above her, in the upper panes of the window beneath which they were sitting, were the armorial bearings of the family in richest hues of stained glass.

The colors and shadows fell with strange effects on her white dress, great bars of purple and crimson crossing each other, and opposite to her hung the superb Titian, with the blood-red rubies on the white throat.
Lord Arleigh watched Madaline as she read.

Whatever might be the agony in his own heart, it was exceeded by hers.

He saw the brightness die out of her face, the light fade from her eyes, the lips grow pale.