"I warned him," said Philippa, eagerly. "I refused at first to introduce her to him. I told him that prudence and caution were needful."
"How came it about then, Philippa?"
The duchess shrugged her shoulders.
"There is a fate, I suppose, in these things. He saw her one day when I was out of the way, and, according to his own account, fell in love with her on the spot. Be that as it may, he was determined to marry her."
"It seems very strange," said the Duke of Hazlewood, musingly. "I have never known him to do anything 'queer' before."
"He can never say that I did not warn him," she remarked, carelessly.
"But it was such a wretched marriage for him. Who was she, Philippa? I have never made many inquiries about her."
"I would really rather not discuss the question," said the duchess; "it has no interest for me now. Norman and I have quarreled. In all probability we shall never be friends again."
"All through this marriage?" interrogated the duke.
"All through this marriage," repeated his wife--"and I know no subject that irritates me so much. Please say no more about it, Vere."