’I have noticed that.’ ’I was disappointed on opening the cover. I thought it might contain your reply to my letter.’ ’What letter?’ ’That which I wrote to you when you were at Mr. Flamank’s house.’ ’I did not receive it.’ ’The loss is not great. It was sent to inform you that I was confined to my bed, and that I was too gravely indisposed to follow the dictates of my heart and fly to your succour.’ ’Orange, I am sure, felt your absence greatly.’ ’You, also, would have been thankful for my assistance, surely.’ ’Yes; but I had no right to expect it. Orange had a right to exact it.’ Trecarrel bit his lip. ’You seem, dear Countess, to have been very ill. You look terribly fragile and white.’ ’I have been unwell——’ ’More than unwell—ill; dangerously ill?’ ’Yes; my head was bad. I did not know anything or any person for several days.’ ’I fear these wretched troubles have been the cause. O that I could have been near to give advice and protection; but important business—military, of course—called me to Exeter, and when I returned to Trecarrel, I was prostrated by a nervous attack for a week. I fear you have been embarrassed for money, but now, I understand, matters are settled agreeably.’ ’We are not troubled about money matters any more, nor likely to be so.’ ’I trust not.’ ’Because, if you were, I would say, command me. I am not a rich man, but still, bless my soul, I can help a friend at a pinch, and am proud to do so.’ ’There is no occasion, Captain Trecarrel. All fear of pecuniary embarrassment is at an end.’ ’I hear everything at Dolbeare was bought by you.’ ’All was bought in my name.’ ’And the Trampleasures, _mère et fille_, are your guests. How long will this continue?’ ’I do not know.’ ’It is not pleasant to be sponged on, especially——’ ’I beg your pardon. I feel it a duty and a pleasure to do everything I can for them. They have been kind to me.’ ’Then you saddle yourself with them indefinitely. I hope the load will not crush you.’ Mirelle made no reply. She did not like the contemptuous tone in which he spoke of the Trampleasures, and Orange was to be his wife. She looked out of the coach window on her side. ’Old Tramplara’s death was, of course, a great shock to me,’ continued Trecarrel; ’so sudden, too, arresting me on the threshold of my marriage. It was a trial to my nervous system; but I am frank to confess, it was to some extent a relief.’ Mirelle looked round with surprise.