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The first thing I learned when I reached the appartement was that the

Duchesse had returned, and wished to seeto Maurice, I got into my one horse Victoria

and repaired to the Hotel de Courville--

The Duchesse was sitting in her boudoir upstairs when I got in--She had

a quaint expression upon her face I was not certain that her greeting

was as cordial as usual--Has gossip reached her ears also?

I sat down near her and she took my crutch from me tenderly, her

instinct for "blessés" never failing her

I thought I would begin at once before she could say anything which

to see you, Duchesse, to ask you if you could help

me to find out who my secretary, Miss Sharp, is?--because I saw her here

in the passage one day, and I thought you ht possibly be able to

identify her--"

"Tiens?"

"Her christian name is 'Alathea'--I heard her little sister call her

that once when I saw them and they did not see me, in the Bois--She is

a lady--and I feel Sharp is not her nalasses--

"She has not shown a sign that she wishes you to know her history?"