much as you please, good friend; only conduct
me immediately to the duchess."

"I doubt whether her ladyship receives calls to-day," stammered the
servant, hesitatingly.

"Then go and ask; and, that I may learn her answer as soon as possible,
I will accompany you."

With a commanding air, she motioned to the servant to go before her; and
he could not summon up courage to gainsay this proud beauty.

In silence they traversed the suite of stately apartments, and at length
stood before a door hung with tapestry.

"I must beg you to wait here a moment, my lady, so that I can announce
you to the duchess, who is there in her boudoir."

"No, indeed; I will assume that office myself," said Miss Holland, as
with strong hand she pushed back the servant and opened the door.

The duchess was sitting at her writing-table, her back turned to the
door through which Arabella had entered. She did not turn round; perhaps
she had not heard the door open. She continued quietly writing.

Miss Arabella Holland with stately step crossed the room, and now stood
close to the chair of the duchess.

"Duchess, I would like to speak with you," said she, coolly and calmly.

The duchess uttered a cry and looked up. "Miss Holland!" cried she
amazed, and hastily rising. "Miss Holland! you here with me, in my
house! What do you want here? How dare you cross my threshold?"

"I see you still hate me, my lady," said Arabella, smiling. "You have
not yet forgiven me that the duke, your husband, found more delight
in my young, handsome face, than in yours, now growing old--that my
sprightly, wanton disposition pleased him better than your cold, stately
air."

The duchess turned pale with rage, and her eyes darted lightning.
"Silence, you shameless creature! silence, or I will call my servants to
rid me of you!"

"You will not call them; for I have come to be reconciled with you, and
to offer you peace."

"Peace with you!" sneered the duchess--"peace with that shameless woman
who stole from me my husband, the father of my children?--who loaded me
with the disgrace of standing before the whole world as a repudiated and
despised wife, and of suffering myself to be compared with you, that the
world might decide which of us two was worthier of his love? Peace
with you, Miss Holland?--with the impudent strumpet who squanders my
husband's means in lavish luxury, and, with scoffing boldness, robs my
children of their lawful property?"

"It is true,