"Wretch to have betrayed me!" exclaimed the Countess. "What is her motive? She wishes to keep me in my place because it means to her so much in money, in comfort, in this and that. What is your motive? You wish to save my lord's face before the town. Neither you nor she care what becomes of me!" She shivered with scorn. "No one would--not my Lady Agatha. I might go to damnation for all of you, did it not suit your convenience or your pride to keep me honest. What would my lord care for any sin of mine, did it not touch him?" She pressed her hands to her bosom, and took a step or two towards Miss Chressham, her whole slight body trembling. "Away with your flimsy morality!" she said. "You speak for yourself, I for myself, and your object is no worthier than mine. My lord and the name of Lyndwood is as little to me as my happiness is to you. There is no argument that you can touch me with." "Lavinia!" interrupted Marius, in a low and terrible voice, "I will not hear you speak in such fashion." She turned and gave him a curious, quiet look. "Are you going to ask me to go back?" she said. "I would thank you on my knees," he answered, "if you could listen to my cousin; if you could find it in you to return." He paused a second; both the women looked at him intently. With a quick breath and added force, he continued: "Yet I think you speak the truth, and I know I have been wrong, and that our house hath not been so honourable in this matter, and--" He paused again, then frantically, "Oh, God!" he cried, "there are things impossible to speak of--things that sear the lips! I am a coward, and I would that I were dead!" "Marius!" cried Miss Chressham, wan and rigid, horror in her eyes. "I cannot find you in this behaviour. Why do you hesitate? What is there to weigh with you against the fact that this woman is Rose's wife?" The Countess gave a sudden laugh. "He knows this woman loves him, and that fact weighs something with a man." Marius put his hand before his face, and Susannah drew back aghast. "You outrage all shame!" she said hoarsely. "Are you without all honour that you dare say this to my face?" The Countess turned her back on her. "Take me away," she held out her hands to Marius, "or kill me! This woman does not understand." He looked at her, but shrank, and she fell suddenly to her knees. Susannah sprang forward and caught her up. There was a cry, an exclamation among them, and the door was flung open on Rose Lyndwood. His eyes travelled from one to another. He took off his hat. "Ah, you also, Susannah!" he said, and closed the door behind him. He was splendidly dressed in black velvet and satin. His magnificence and superb looks put the chamber to shame. He came across the room gaily, with his head high, and Miss Chressham, at least, saw he was in a passion of wrath and scorn that uplifted him above them all. Marius waited. Stealthily the Countess drew away from him.