“No,” said Marian, foreseeing with a bitter pang and a terrible blush what must follow. “He is in England. I am alone here.” “Well, why—? what—? I dont understand.” “Have you not read the papers?” said Marian, in a low voice, turning her head away. “Papers! No, not since I saw an account of my brilliant _debût_ here, of which I suppose you have heard. I never read: I do nothing but drink. What has happened?” Marian hesitated. “Is it any secret?” said Susanna. “No, it is no secret,” said Marian, turning, and looking at her steadily. “All the world knows it. I have left your brother; and I do not know whether I am still his wife, or whether I am already divorced.” “You dont mean to say youre on the loose!” cried Susanna. Marian was silent. “I always told Ned that no woman could stand him,” said Susanna, with sodden vivacity, after a pause, during which Marian had to endure her astonished stare. “He always thought you the very pink of propriety. Of course, there was another man in it. Whats become of him, if I may ask?” “I have left him,” said Marian, sternly. “You need impute no fault to your brother in the matter, Miss Conolly. He is quite blameless.” “Yes,” said Susanna, not in the least impressed, “he always is blameless. How is Bob? I mean Marmaduke, your cousin. I call him Bob, short for Cherry Bob.” “He is very well, thank you.” “Now, Bob was not a blameless man, but altogether the reverse; and he was a capital fellow to get on with. Ned was always right, always sure of himself; and there was an end. He has no variety. I wonder will Bob ever get married?” “He is going to be married in the spring.” “Who to?” “To Lady Constance Car——” “Damn that woman!” exclaimed Susanna. “I hate her. She was always throwing herself at his head. Curse her! Damn her! I wish——” “Miss Conolly,” said Marian: “I hope you will not think me rude; but I am very tired, and it is very late. I must go to bed.” “Well, will you come and see me to-morrow? It will be an act of charity. I am dying here all alone. You are a nice woman, and I know what you must feel about me; but you will get used to me. I wont annoy you. I wont swear. I wont say anything about your cousin. I’ll keep sober. Do come. You are a good sort: Bob always said so; and you might save me from destroying myself. Say youll come.” “If you particularly wish it, I will,” said Marian, not disguising her reluctance. “Youd rather not, of course,” said Susanna, despondently. “I am afraid I cannot be of any use to you.” “For that matter, no one is likely to be of much use to me. But it’s hard to be imprisoned in this den without anyone to speak to but Eliza. However, do as you please. I did as I pleased; and I must take the consequences. Just tell me one thing. Did you find me out by accident?” “Quite.” “That was odd.” Susanna groaned again as she rose from the sofa. “Well, since you wont have anything to do with me, good-bye. Youre quite right.”