"Neither my lady nor Marius will understand, and I cannot explain, so it is very quickly over--one word, after all." "Ruin," said Susannah Chressham. "It has been the Lyndwood way, has it not? It is twelve years to-morrow since they brought my father home--do you remember?" "Yes," she answered. "He tried to speak to me," said the Earl softly. "I knew what he meant--be generous to Marius. That occurred to me last night when I faced it, and that it would also be the easiest way for me--a duel in Hyde Park." He laughed. And Susannah Chressham was silent. They turned the bend of the avenue and saw before them the straight front of Lyndwood House. When they came to the foot of the steps Susannah held out her hand. "Good-night, Rose; you will find them in the withdrawing-room--you do not want me--I shall go upstairs. Good-night." He kissed her fingers. "In the withdrawing-room? I will go round by the garden; good-night." They parted; she to enter the house, he to make his way through the roses and laurels to the terrace at the back. The long windows still stood open as Susannah had left them; the gleam of candle-light fell over the stone balustrade and the flowers, the hyacinths, pinks, and tulips. Rose Lyndwood heard voices, light, laughing voices, and the rustle of silk; he stepped into the light and saw the Countess standing on the hearth. In her fair hands she held a fine lace scarf that fell over her gleaming dress, and she was looking at Marius, who showed her an ivory framed mirror, wonderfully carved. The Earl pushed the window a little wider open and entered the room. "Rose!" cried his mother in a frightened voice. Marius laid down the mirror and flushed; two years of change in each of them had sufficed to make his brother a stranger to him. Lord Lyndwood swept off his hat and crossed the room to kiss his mother's hands. She flushed and fluttered into her usual sweet aimless talk. "La! you startled me, Rose; we expected you to-morrow--and have you walked?--and I protest you have not noticed Marius!" "My horse fell lame and I left him at the lodge." The Earl turned to his brother--"Good evening, Marius." They looked at each other, and the younger man was overawed and abashed; then he laughed awkwardly. "I scarcely know you, my lord." Rose Lyndwood smiled. "Two years, Marius--you also have altered." He unclasped his cloak and flung it over a chair. The Countess glanced at him. "Is anything the matter?" she asked suddenly. "Can you see so much?" He was still smiling. "Yes, but I will not trouble you with it yet, my lady." He crossed to the table. "I must speak to Marius." An expression of annoyance clouded Lady Lyndwood's fair face. "This is a poor home-coming, Rose. I have not seen you for months--and 'tis the first evening I have had Marius." The Earl seated himself at the table. "I am sorry," he said.