She knew that when her husband returned she would have to give some kind of explanation; but she was quite indifferent about that.

Her life, she said to herself, was ended.
When the duke did come home, after a few pleasant weeks on the sea, the first thing he heard was the story about Lord Arleigh.

It astounded him.
His friend Captain Austin related it to him as soon as he had landed.
"Whom did you say he married ?" inquired the duke.
"Rumor said at first that it was a distant relative of yours," replied the captain, "afterward it proved to be some young lady whom he had met at a small watering-place." "What was her name?
Who was she?
It was no relative of mine; I have very few; I have no young female relative at all." "No--that was all a mistake; I cannot tell you how it arose.

He married a lady of the name of Dornham." "Dornham!" said the puzzled nobleman.

"The name is not unfamiliar to me--Dornham--ah, I remember!" He said no more, but the captain saw a grave expression come over his handsome face, and it occurred to him that some unpleasant thought occurred to his companion's mind..