The ladies sat a long time after dinner, and when they went Mrs. Houghton asked her husband to come up in ten minutes. They did not remain much longer, but during those ten minutes Guss Mildmay said something of her wrongs to her friend, and Lady George heard some news from Miss Houghton. Miss Houghton had got Lady George on to a sofa, and was talking to her about Brotherton and Manor Cross. "So the Marquis is coming," she said. "I knew the Marquis years ago, when we used to be staying with the De Barons,--Adelaide's father and mother. She was alive then, and the Marquis used to come over there. So he has married?" "Yes; an Italian." "I did not think he would ever marry. It makes a difference to you;--does it not?" "I don't think of such things." "You will not like him, for he is the very opposite to Lord George." "I don't know that I shall ever even see him. I don't think he wants to see any of us." "I dare say not. He used to be very handsome, and very fond of ladies' society,--but, I think, the most selfish human being I ever knew in my life. That is a complaint that years do not cure. He and I were great friends once." "Did you quarrel?" "Oh, dear no. I had rather a large fortune of my own, and there was a time in which he was, perhaps, a little in want of money. But they had to build a town on his property in Staffordshire, and you see that did instead." "Did instead!" said Lady George, altogether in the dark. "There was suddenly a great increase to his income, and, of course, that altered his view. I am bound to say that he was very explicit. He could be so without suffering himself, or understanding that any one else would suffer. I tell you because you are one of the family, and would, no doubt, hear it all some day through Adelaide. I had a great escape." "And he a great misfortune," said Mary civilly. "I think he had, to tell you the truth. I am good-tempered, long-suffering, and have a certain grain of sagacity that might have been useful to him. Have you heard about this Italian lady?" "Only that she is an Italian lady." "He is about my age. If I remember rightly there is hardly a month or two between us. She is three or four years older." "You knew her then?" "I knew of her. I have been curious enough to enquire, which is, I dare say, more than any body has done at Manor Cross." "And is she so old?" "And a widow. They have been married, you know, over twelve months; nearly two years, I believe." "Surely not; we heard of it only since our own marriage." "Exactly; but the Marquis was always fond of a little mystery. It was the news of your marriage that made him hint at the possibility of such a thing; and he did not tell the fact till he had made up his mind to come home. I do not know that he has told all now." "What else is there?"