"Yes." "Then we will not disturb them yet, my dear--the meeting can well wait." His cousin let go of her red silk skirt, and it rustled about her on the steps. "Why do you speak in such fashion, Rose?" she cried. He laughed. "I do not bring the best of news--for Marius." "It is as if I had known you were going to say that," answered Miss Chressham, shivering; "come into the temple." He followed her under the Doric portico into the cool pillared interior; through the doorway the moonshine streamed, and the light perfume of violets seemed to emanate from the smooth polished columns. The Earl crossed to one of the square windows and stared across his park; his bearing showed a man weary, indifferent, and reckless. A marble seat ran round the wall; Susannah Chressham leant against it and turned her eyes on her cousin; but, owing to the thick shadows, she could only see the outline of his figure. "Won't you tell me what this means, Rose?" she asked. "You used always to confide in me." "Vastly unfair on you," he answered lightly, but without gaiety; "give me credit for outgrowing my selfishness--or some of it." She seated herself and clasped her hands. "Do not evade me--I might help you." He turned to face her; now, with the moonlight behind him, she could not see his features at all. "You cannot, my dear." His very pleasant soft voice was grave. "It affects Marius?" asked Susannah. "Yes." "It is about money?" "You were always a sensible lady," answered the Earl; "it is about money"--he gave the last word a curious little intonation of disdain. "I have been waiting for this," said Susannah quietly. "I give you credit for your observation, my cousin." He moved slowly across the marble floor, and as his cloak fell back straining at the clasps, she saw the gleam of his blue and silver dress beneath. "Tell me what has happened," she entreated. He paused, then swung round and paced to the window again. "Since you are not involved, Susannah, in my unfortunate affairs, I have the less reluctance." Still she could not see his face, the moonlight dazzled her straining eyes. "Not involved!" she murmured. Lord Lyndwood pulled his gloves off slowly. "I have come home to tell my lady and Marius that I am ruined." She did not move nor speak. "The estate hardly meets its own mortgage, and the land has been so neglected as to be almost valueless." He quoted his last steward's report, though she did not know it. "My lady does not realise this?" he questioned. "She realises nothing--how should she? you have kept us in ignorance." "By Gad, I only knew myself a few days ago," said the Earl. "When I was forced to look into the cursed business." "But Marius has _his_ money?" cried Susannah. "Marius has not a penny! It will be pleasant telling him so, will it not?" Susannah rose. "I do not understand." "Marius never had any money, my lord dying so suddenly without a will--Brereton was our guardian, and a careless one."