After a long silence, broken only by Mary's half-smothered sobs, the duke turned sharply upon the women:-- "For the love of God, cease your miserable whimpering," growled his lordship.

"Is not my life full of vexations without this deluge of tears at home?
A whimpering woman will do more to wear out the life of a man than a score of battling enemies.

Silence, I say; silence, you fools!" Mary and the duchess were now unable to control themselves.

Charles rose angrily and, with his clenched hand raised for a blow, strode across the room to the unhappy women.

Clinging to each other, the princess and Duchess Margaret crouched low on the divan.