by a revelation I have
received this day."

"From John Scott?"

"Yes, madam."

"You know the cause of your bride's flight, monseigneur. Do you blame her
for it?"

"Under such circumstances, I honor her for it. She nearly broke her own
heart and mine; but, as a pure woman, believing as she was forced to
believe, she could do no less. Now, madam, I have answered all your
questions. Now relieve my anxiety--tell me where she is."

"First tell me where you have been seeking her?" inquired the abbess,
with a singular smile.

"In Italy, of course! Her letter was post-marked Rome, though without any
other address," said the duke, lightly lifting his eyebrows.

"That letter was written in this house, and sent to Rome to be mailed
thence, in order to put you off the true track of the duchess,
monseigneur," said the abbess, with a smile.

"What do you tell me, madam!" exclaimed the duke, in surprise.

"Madame la Duchesse is under this roof, to which she fled for refuge
direct from London!"

"Can this be possible, madam?"

"It is true! To whom, indeed, could the child come, in her extremity, but
to me, the mother of her motherless youth?"

"Oh, madam, you fill my heart with joy and gratitude! My wife under this
roof?"

"Yes, monseigneur."

"And safe and well?"

"Safe and well."

"Thank Heaven! Can I see her at once? Does she know I am here? Does she
know--"

"She knows everything, monseigneur, that you would have her know,
although she has not heard the confession of John Scott, which has just
been made to you. She knows everything by means of the agencies I set to
work to investigate the truth. And she knows that you will forgive her,
through the intuitions of her own spirit."

"When can I see her, madam? Oh, when?" exclaimed the young duke, rising
impatiently.

"This moment, if you please. She is expecting you. Follow me,
monseigneur," said the abbess, rising and leading the way through the
broad hall that stretched between the wicket room and the lady-superior's
parlor.

When they reached the place, the abbess said:

"Enter, monseigneur. You will find the duchess alone, within."

And she opened the door and admitted him, then closed it behind him, and
paced slowly away from the spot.

As the duke advanced into the room, so silently that his footsteps were
unheard, he saw his wife sitting within the recess of the solitary
window. She wore a simple dress of black serge, with a white collar and
wh