Mr. Otis was a good deal distressed at Lord Canterville's refusal, and begged him to reconsider his decision, but the good–natured peer was quite firm, and finally induced the Minister to allow his daughter to retain the present the ghost had given her, and when, in the spring of 1890, the young Duchess of Cheshire was presented at the Queen's first drawing–room on the occasion of her marriage, her jewels were the universal theme of admiration. For Virginia received the coronet, which is the reward of all good little American girls, and was married to her boy–lover as soon as he came of age. They were both so charming, and they loved each other so much, that every one was delighted at the match, except the old Marchioness of Dumbleton, who had tried to catch the Duke for one of her seven unmarried daughters, and had given no less than three expensive dinner–parties for that purpose, and, strange to say, Mr. Otis himself. Mr. Otis was extremely fond of the young Duke personally, but, theoretically, he objected to titles, and, to use his own words, «was not without apprehension lest, amid the enervating influences of a pleasure–loving aristocracy, the true principles of Republican simplicity should be forgotten.» His objections, however, were completely overruled, and I believe that when he walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, with his daughter leaning on his arm, there was not a prouder man in the whole length and breadth of England.

The Duke and Duchess, after the honeymoon was over, went down to Canterville Chase, and on the day after their arrival they walked over in the afternoon to the lonely churchyard by the pine–woods. There had been a great deal of difficulty at first about the inscription on Sir Simon's tombstone, but finally it had been decided to engrave on it simply the initials of the old gentleman's name, and the verse from the library window. The Duchess had brought with her some lovely roses, which she strewed upon the grave, and after they had stood by it for some time they strolled into the ruined chancel of the old abbey. There the Duchess sat down on a fallen pillar, while her husband lay at her feet smoking a cigarette and looking up at her beautiful eyes. Suddenly he threw his cigarette away, took hold of her hand, and said to her, «Virginia, a wife should have no secrets from her husband.»

«Dear Cecil! I have no secrets from you.»

«Yes, you have,» he answered, smiling, «you have never told me what happened to you when you were locked up with the ghost.»

«I have never told any one, Cecil,» said Virginia, gravely.

«I know that, but you might tell me.»

«Please don't ask me, Cecil, I cannot tell you. Poor Sir Simon! I owe him a great deal. Yes, don't laugh, Cecil, I really do. He made me see what Life is, and what Death signifies, and why Love is stronger than both.»

The Duke rose and kissed his wife lovingly.

«You can have your secret as long as I have your heart,» he murmured.

«You have always had that, Cecil.»

«And you will tell our children some day, won't you?»

Virginia blushed.

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