"You think so," said my lord. "Well, you know where to find me, Sir Francis." Miss Boyle broke into an agony of whispered words. "What has happened? Take me away--for my sake, Francis--my lord!" The Earl disregarded the entreaty of voice and eyes. He did not look at her, but at the man she stood beside. "Yesterday you were too slow, as to-night you go too fast," cried Sir Francis, "and either humour is one not to be borne. So you _shall_ hear from me, my lord." "No!" exclaimed Miss Boyle, striking her hand on her bosom. "Take that back, sir. You know not what you say--what you do!" She clasped his hand, but the passion of her imploring eyes was all for Rose Lyndwood. "Grant me the right to ask this of you. Take that back." But her cousin answered hotly. "It is you who do not know what you ask, madam. Now let me take you to the ballroom." She dropped his hand. "My lord, to you--I speak to you. Will you allow this to happen?" No change crossed my lord's pale smiling face. "Sir Francis must act as he thinks fit, madam," he answered, and again touched the rose at his cravat. "Need it distress you?" Francis Boyle spoke on a passionate exclamation. "'Tis your presence distresses this lady, Lord Lyndwood. With the knowledge you have 'twas an insult that you sought to speak to her to-night, and that you stay is, my lord, insolence!" The Earl turned at this slightly, with an air of utterly dismissing and despising the speaker. His eyes were wildly bright and daring in a face composed and colourless. He spoke directly to Miss Boyle, with no attempt to disguise the meaning in his voice. "Will you speak for yourself, madam? Does not the gentleman pretend to overmuch? May not I see you back to the house?" Sir Francis drew his breath sharply, but remained proudly waiting for her. She shivered and gave a little groan. A sudden laugh sprang into my lord's beautiful eyes. He lifted the pale rose to his lips and threw back his head. Miss Boyle, all silver and white, took a step forward into the moonlight where it fell clear of the laurels. "Sir Francis is my escort, sir," she answered, looking straightly at my lord. "My duty to the Countess, and adieu!" She curtsied, and Sir Francis made a little eager motion towards her. She laid her hand lightly on his arm. The Earl smiled at both of them. "_Au revoir_, shall we not say?" He turned away at once. Miss Boyle stood with downcast eyes. She was so pale and quiet that Sir Francis was alarmed. "I would I had come sooner." She looked round now--not at him, but at the pink domino disappearing down the shadowed walk. "You are not going to challenge him?" she asked under her breath. "I am sorry that it should have happened in your presence, grieved that it troubles you." She glanced at him in an absent way. "What are you saying? Give me a moment." "Will you not return to the house?" "No, I could not; nor dance to-night." Her fingers quivered on his sleeve. "Besides, I must speak to you."