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There the Duchess: sat down on: a fallen pillar,
while. her husband lay at her feet smoking-a ciga-
rette and looking -up :at-her beautiful eyes. Sud-
denly ‘he threw his cigarette away, took hold. of
her hand, and said to her, “Virginia, a wife should
have no secrets from her husband.” .
“Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you.” I
_ “Yes, you have,” he answered, smiling, “you
have mever told me what happeried to you when
you were locked up with the ghost.” =
“I have never. told anyone, Cecil,” said Virginia
gravely. =
“I know that, but you might tell me.”
“Please don’t ‚ask me, °C ecil, I cannot tell’ you.
Poor Sir Simon! IT owe him a great deal. Yes, don’t
laugh, Cecil, I'really do. He made me see what
Life is; and what Death signifies, and ‘why Love
is stronger. than both.”
The Duke rose ‘and kissed his wife lovingly:
“You can have your secret as long as I have
your heart,” he murmured. =.
“You have always had that; Cecil” ~~ +
“And you will tell our children some day, won't
you?” -
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Virginia, blushed
