"So I imagined; you look very guilty. What is it?"
"I have found my ideal. I love her, she loves me, and I want to marry her."
The pallor of the lovely lips deepened. For a few minutes no sound was heard except the falling of the spray of the fountain and then the Duchess of Hazlewood looked up and said:
"Why do you make this confession to me, Norman?"
"Because it concerns some one in whom you are interested. It is Madaline whom I love, Madaline whom I wish to marry. But that is not strange news to you, I am sure, Philippa."
Again there was a brief silence; and then the duchess said, in a low voice:
"You must admit that I warned you, Norman, from the very first."
He raised his head proudly.
"You warned me? I do not understand."
"I kept her out of your sight. I told you it would be better for you not to see her. I advised you, did I not?"