"I told you last night that I was very ill," she answered coldly, as she
sank wearily back on the cushion.

"That infernal dinner party! It has prostrated you quite. I am so
grieved; I will not suffer you to be so severely tried again!" said the
duke, vehemently.

"And you will write this morning and put off the count's visit," pleaded
Valerie.

"No, my dear, I cannot," answered the duke, regretfully.

"Then I cannot come down to dinner. That is all," she said, sullenly
closing her eyes.

"I shall be sorry for that; but we must do the best we can without you
for the count, having been invited, must be permitted to come."

She languidly drew up to the table, and touched the bell that summoned
the footman with the breakfast-tray.

When it was placed upon the table, she poured out two cups of coffee,
handed one to the duke, and took the other herself.

When she had drained it, she arose, excused herself, and went back to her
own room.

She closed and locked the door, and threw herself upon the bed, groaning:

"Oh! how could Waldemar accept that invitation? How can he bear to sit
down with me at the Duke of Hereward's table? Has he no delicacy? No
pity? Ah, mercy, what a state is mine! And yet I was not to blame for
_this_! I have not deserved it! I have not deserved it! One of us
three must die; I, or Waldemar, or the Duke of Hereward; and I am the
one; for, _I hate myself_ for the position I am in! I _hate,_
LOATHE and utterly ABHOR myself! I do. I do. I wish the
lightning would strike me dead! dead, before I have to meet one of them
again!" she moaned, rolling and grovelling on the bed.

There came a soft rap at the door, followed by the kind voice of the
duke, saying:

"Valerie, Valerie, my love! How are you? Do you want anything? May I come
in?"

"No! I want rest! I do not want you!" she answered, so sharply as to
astonish the duke, who spoke again however, deprecatingly and soothingly.

"Is there anything that I can do for you outside, then, my dear?"

"You can go away and let me alone, or you can stand there chattering
until you drive me crazy!" she answered, ungratefully.

"Good morning, my love; I will not trouble you again soon," muttered the
duke, as he walked away from the duchess' door.

"I never knew such a change as this that has come over her. She is as
cross as a catamount! There may be a cause for it. There may--I will send
for a physician," he added, as he went down stairs.

Valer