Notwithstanding the good appetite of the guests and the delicacy of the viands set before them, the meal passed in gravity and in almost total silence, for the thoughts of the two companions were with the dying man whom they had left in the Old Men's Home.
When they had finished dining, and had arisen from the table, a message was delivered by one of the old nuns who had waited upon them, to the effect that the lady superior desired to see the duke in the portress' room for a few minutes, before his departure.
The duke immediately signified his readiness to wait on the lady, and followed his conductress to the little room behind the wicket appropriated to the portress.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
HUSBAND AND WIFE.
Two hours before this, the lady superior had conducted the young duchess to the private apartment of the abbess, to await the issue of events.
Salome, pale, and trembling with excitement, sank into the nearest chair.
"You do not fear to meet the duke, my child?" inquired the abbess, uneasily, as she also dropped into her seat.
"Fear to meet my own magnanimous husband? Oh, no, no! I do not fear to meet him; but I long to meet him with an infinite longing!" fervently exclaimed Salome.