"That is not all," said Mark, with irrepressible triumph. "I was walking through the market-place at Quainton this morning, and I saw the carriage with out-riders and footmen. Now, what do you think, Patty? before all the town the duke stopped the carriage and sent for me."
Then indeed Mrs. Brace felt deeply interested. How could she think too much of a duke who stopped his carriage in a public market-place and spoke to her husband?
"What did he say, Mark?" she asked.
"He said that he had been away some months, and he hoped we were all well. That proud, beautiful daughter of his was in the carriage, Lady Estelle; her voice is like a clear, soft flute. 'How do you do, Mr. Brace?' she said, and I told her that I enjoyed the best of health, hoping that she did the same."
"That was rather free spoken, Mark," said his wife, doubtfully.
"Not at all," was the sturdy reply. "She looked pleased enough; then she said: 'How is the young girl you brought to see the Castle?' I told her that Doris had gone abroad, to be a governess; she leaned back in her carriage, and held up her parasol.
"'Was she tired of Brackenside?' she asked, and I said, 'Yes—I thought she was.'
"'Is she married?' asked my lady. I said, 'No.'
"She looked at me strangely, and then the carriage drove on. It was strange altogether."
And again Mrs. Brace turned from her husband with a sigh. There was evil at hand, she was sure.