She did not smile, but a sudden light came into her eyes.
"It would be a great kindness not to tell you," she answered. "You see what comes of trespassing in forbidden places. I did not intend you to see that young lady."
"The answer to your question would be superfluous," she replied.
"But, Philippa, tell me at least who she is."
"That I cannot do," she replied, and then the magnificent face was lighted with a smile. "Is she your ideal woman, Norman?" she asked.
"My dear Philippa," he answered, gravely, "she is the idea," woman herself neither more nor less."
"Found at last!" laughed the duchess. "For all that, Norman, you must not look it her."
"Married? That girl! Why, she has only just left school. If you really wish to know who she is I will tell you; but you must give me your word not to mention it."
He wondered why the beautiful face grew crimson and the dark eyes dropped.
"She is a poor relative of ours," said the duchess, "poor, you understand--nothing else."
"Then she is related to the duke?" he interrogated.
"Yes, distantly; and, after a fashion, we have adopted her. When she marries we shall give her a suitable dot. Her mother married unfortunately."
"Still, she was married?" said Lord Arleigh.
"Yes, certainly; but unhappily married. Her daughter, however, has received a good education, and now she will remain with us. But, Norman, in this I may trust you, as in everything else?"
"You may trust me implicitly," he replied.
"The duke did not quite like the idea of having her to live with us at first--and I do not wish it to be mentioned to him. If he speaks of it to you at all, it will be as my caprice. Let it pass--do not ask any questions about her; it only annoys her--it only annoys him. She is very happy with me. You see," she continued, "women can keep a secret. She has been here three weeks, yet you have never seen her before, and now it is by accident."
"But," said Norman, "what do you intend to do with her?"
The duchess took a seat near him, and assumed quite a confidential air.
"I have been for some time looking out for a companion," she said; "Lady Peters really must live at Verdun Royal--a housekeeper is not sufficient for that large establishment--it requires more than that. She has consented to make it her home, and I must have some one to be with me."