"Own what, marquis?"
He smote his breast and looked above her.
"I am the man!"
"Oh, what man?" squealed the duchess.
"I am the husband—and—and—the father," said Rivaulx, with a gulp, as if he were swallowing an apple whole.
"Of my Penelope?"
"Yes, yes," said the marquis. "Say nothing. It is a secret, full of oaths. Why, I know not, but she, the dear, insists, and what am I?"
Titania lay and gasped. The relief was tremendous. Three hours ago she would have refused to think of Rivaulx as Pen's husband. Now she welcomed the notion; she sighed and almost fainted. Rivaulx muttered strange things to himself.
"Can I announce it?"
"No," said the marquis, "it is a secret. But it is all right. I go."