"No! I want rest! I do not want you!" she answered, so sharply as to astonish the duke, who spoke again however, deprecatingly and soothingly.
"Is there anything that I can do for you outside, then, my dear?"
"You can go away and let me alone, or you can stand there chattering until you drive me crazy!" she answered, ungratefully.
"Good morning, my love; I will not trouble you again soon," muttered the duke, as he walked away from the duchess' door.
"I never knew such a change as this that has come over her. She is as cross as a catamount! There may be a cause for it. There may—I will send for a physician," he added, as he went down stairs.
Valerie kept her room all day.
Count de Volaski came to dinner at eight o'clock and was received by the duke alone.
He smiled grimly when his host apologized for the absence of the duchess, by explaining the delicate condition of her health since the death of her parents, and the injury she had received from the fatigue and excitement of the dinner-party on the preceding evening.
The duke and the count dined tete-a-tete, and sat long over their wine, although they drank but little. After dinner they played chess together all the evening, and then parted, apparently the best of friends on both sides, really good friends on the duke's.
The next morning a letter was handed Valerie, while she sat at breakfast with the duke.