You must have time to recover your cheerfulness, dearest, before you are
again brought into a large company," said the duke, kindly, as soon as
they were seated together in their carriage.

"Did people attribute my dullness to--to--to--," began Valerie, by way of
saying something, but her voice faltered and broke down.

"To your recent double bereavement?--certainly they did, my love. They
knew

'No crowds
Make up for parents in their shrouds,'

and were not cruel enough to criticise your filial grief, my Valerie."

"I am glad of that; but I am very sorry you have invited the Count de
Volaski to dinner to-morrow."

"Oh, why?"

"Because I do not like company."

"He is only one guest and will dine with us quietly. He will amuse you."

"No, he will not; he will bore me. I wish you would write and put him
off."

"Impossible, my dear Valerie! What earthly excuse could I make for such
an unpardonable piece of rudeness?"

"Tell him that I am ill, out of spirits, anything you like so that you
tell him not to come."

"My dearest one, you certainly are ill and out of spirits, and very
morbid besides. So much the more reason why you should be gently aroused
and amused. Dinner parties weary and distress you; but the count's visit
will relieve and amuse you."

"Oh! I _do_ think I _ought_ to know what is good for me and
what I want better than any one else," exclaimed Valerie, speaking
impatiently to the duke for the first time during their married life.

"But you don't, love; that is all. The count is coming to dine with us
to-morrow. That is settled. Now, here we are at home," said the duke,
as the carriage rolled through the massive archway and entered the
court-yard of the magnificent Hotel de la Motte.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

A GATHERING STORM.

After a night of sleeplessness and anguish, Valerie arose to a day of
duplicity and terror.

The anticipation of the evening was intolerable to her; the prospect of
sitting down at her own table between the Duke of Hereward and the Count
de Volaski overwhelmed her with a sense of horror and loathing.

Faint, pale, and trembling, she descended to the breakfast-room, where
she found the duke already awaiting her.

Shocked at her aspect, he hastened to meet her and lead her to an
easy-chair on the right of the breakfast-table.

"You are not able to be out of your bed, Valerie. You should not have
attempted to rise," he said, as he carefully seated her.