Beppo and Lena knew me only as your wife
and loved me dearly, and wept bitter tears when my father tore me away
from you. They will be glad to see poor Valerie again! And the good
Father Antonio, who married us! He loved us both! He will comfort and
counsel me. Yes, Waldemar! St. Vito is my City of Refuge, and the
vinedresser's cottage my only possible home. Take me there and leave
me in peace."

"I believe you are right, Valerie. By what train would you like to leave
Paris? There is an express that starts at seven. Could you be ready for
that?"

"Yes! yes! thanks! I can be ready for that!"

"Shall you take your maid with you?"

"No. I shall pay her and discharge her with a present."

"Then I shall have to secure only two seats. I will get a coupe, if it be
possible."

"Anything you like! Go now, Waldemar!"

Count de Volaski pressed her hand and withdrew; but before leaving the
room he turned back and inquired:

"Shall I come here for you, or shall I meet you at the station?"

"Meet me at the station, of course! Spare my poor name as long as it can
be spared! In twenty-four hours it will be in everybody's mouth, and the
worst that can be said of it will seem too good! And yet they will all
be wrong, and I shall not deserve their condemnation."

Count de Volaski waved his hand, and hurried from the room and the house,
for he had many hasty preparations to make for the sudden journey.

As soon as he had gone Valerie set about making her final arrangements.
She paid off her maid and discharged her with a handsome present, but
without a word of explanation. She sent off her luggage to the
railway-station, and ordered the carriage to take her to the same point.
She took in her hand a small bag containing her money, jewels, and other
small valuables, when she seated herself in her carriage and gave the
order to her coachman. And so she left her own magnificent home forever.

The wondering servants, who had been too well trained even to look any
comment in their mistress' hearing, let loose their tongues as they
watched the carriage roll away.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

THE STORM BURSTS.

The Duke of Hereward arrived at home the next morning. When the
fiacre that brought him from the railway station rolled through the
porte-cochere into the court yard and drew up before the main entrance
of the Hotel de la Motte, he sprang out with almost boyish eagerness, and
ran up the stairs, and rang and knocked with veh