Lady Estelle had left her seat; she stood against the window, and the face that looked through the glass was so white and wild no one could have recognized it.
"It is a great change," said the duchess; "but unless he himself has changed, fortune will not benefit him much."
"The greatest fault in him was his poverty," said the duke. "I must confess I knew little else."
The proud face of the duchess lighted with scorn.
"Did you not? I never liked the Studleigh race myself; 'faithless and debonair'—every one of them, men and women, too, 'faithless and debonair'—fair of face, light of heart, light of word, light of truth. When was a Studleigh either true to a friend or loyal to a love?"
Still no word from the silent figure at the window.
"I wonder," continued the duke, "if he is married yet?"
"It is hardly probable; the Studleighs are proud enough. He would not meet in Indian society any one whom he would care to marry."
Then the duke looked thoughtfully at his daughter. Not one line of her white face could be seen.
"He will succeed to an enormous fortune," he continued. "I should say the earldom of Linleigh is one of the richest in England. He will be a great match for one of our fair friends."