They both did their best to comfort her--to amuse her and distract her thoughts.

But the absent expression did not die from her dark eyes.

When they had talked to her some little time she took up the "Lady of Lyons." "How much you admire that play," said Madaline; "I see you reading it so often." "I have a fancy for it," returned the duchess; "it suits my taste.

And I admire the language very much." "Yet it is a cruel story," observed Madaline; "the noblest character in it is _Pauline_." "She was very proud; and pride, I suppose, must suffer," said the duchess, carelessly.
"She was not too proud, after all, to love a noble man, when she once recognized him, duchess." "She learned to love the prince--she would never have loved the gardener," remarked Philippa; "it was a terrible vengeance." "I do not like stories of vengeance," said Madaline.

"After all, though, I love the _Claude_ of the story, and find much true nobility in him--much to admire.