The Indiscretion of the Duchess eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 203 pages of information about The Indiscretion of the Duchess.

The Indiscretion of the Duchess eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 203 pages of information about The Indiscretion of the Duchess.

And the second fact?  It was this—­just this, though it was wrapped up in all the roundabout phrases and softened by all the polite expressions of friendship of which Gustave was master,—­yet just this,—­that he was not in a position to invite myself and my wife to the wedding!  For the little duchess, consistent to the end, in spite of his entreaties and protests, had resolutely and entirely declined to receive Mrs. Aycon!

I finished the letter and looked up at Marie.  And Marie, looking thoughtfully down at the paper, observed: 

“I always told you that she was fond of you, you know.”

But, for my part, I hope that Marie’s explanation is not the true one.  I prefer to attribute the duchess’ refusal—­in which, I may state, she steadily persists—­to some mistaken and misplaced sense of propriety; or, if that fails me, then I will set it down to the fact that Marie’s presence would recall too many painful and distressing scenes, and be too full of unpleasant associations.  Thus understood, the duchess’ refusal was quite natural and agreed completely with what she had done in respect of the necklace—­for it was out of the question to turn the edge of the difficulty by converting Marie into a tiara!

So the duchess will not receive my wife.  But I forgive her—­for, beyond doubt, but for the little duchess and that indiscretion of hers, I should not have received my wife myself!

* * * * *

Ninth Edition.

THE PRISONER OF

ZENDA.

By ANTHONY HOPE.

16mo, buckram, gilt top, with frontispiece, 75 cents.

“The ingenious plot, the liveliness and spirit of the narrative, and its readable style.”—­Atlantic Monthly.

“A glorious story, which cannot be too warmly recommended to all who love a tale that stirs the blood.  Perhaps not the least among its many good qualities is the fact that its chivalry is of the nineteenth, not of the sixteenth century; that it is a tale of brave men and true, and of a fair woman of to-day.  The Englishman who saves the king ... is as interesting a knight as was Bayard....  The story holds the reader’s attention from first to last.”—­Critic.

“The dash and galloping excitement of this rattling story.”—­London Punch.

“A more gallant, entrancing story has seldom been written.”—­Review of Reviews.

“It is not often that such a delightful novel falls into the reviewer’s hands.”—­London Athæneum.

“A rattling good romance.”—­N.Y.  Times.

“The plot is too original and audacious to be spoiled for the reader by outlining it.  The author is a born story-teller, and has, moreover, a very pretty wit of his own.”—­The Outlook.

“A grand story ...  It is dignified, quick in action, thrilling, terrible.”—­Chicago Herald.

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Project Gutenberg
The Indiscretion of the Duchess from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.