At present the affair is causing a great sensation." A fashionable paper which indulged largely in personalities, also had a telling article on Lord Arleigh's marriage.

No names were mentioned, but the references were unmistakable.

A private marriage, followed by a separation on the same day, was considered a fair mark for scandal.

This also Lady Peters read, and the duchess listened with white, trembling lips.
"It must refer to Lord Arleigh," said Lady Peters.
"It cannot," was the rejoinder.

"He was far too deeply in love with his fair-faced bride to leave her." "I never did quite approve of that marriage," observed Lady Peters.
"The scandal cannot be about him," declared the duchess.