Charlotte listened with face intent upon him, and even her bluff husband was conscious that something more than usual was happening. He had never heard The Duke break through his proud reserve before.
But when The Duke told the story of Gwen's awful fall, which he did with great graphic power, a little red spot burned upon the Lady Charlotte's pale cheek, and, as The Duke finished his tale with the words, "It was her last ride," she covered her face with her hands and cried:
"Oh, Duke, it is horrible to think of! But what splendid courage!"
"Great stuff! eh, Duke?" cried the Hon. Fred, kicking a burning log vigorously.
But The Duke made no reply.
"How is she now, Duke?" said Lady Charlotte.
The Duke looked up as from a dream. "Bright as the morning," he said. Then, in reply to Lady Charlotte's look of wonder, he added:
"The Pilot did it. Connor will tell you. I don't understand it."
"Nor do I, either. But I can tell you only what I saw and heard," I answered.
"Tell me," said Lady Charlotte very gently.
Then I told her how, one by one, we had failed
