Miss Chressham looked into the fire. "I have not seen him since he threw up his commission," she said thoughtfully; "nor may I see him again, but I shall believe in him always." "He is still in Holland?" asked the Earl lightly. "Yes"--Susannah roused herself--"but it is not of him I wish to speak." She fixed her eyes searchingly on the easy rich figure of Rose Lyndwood and went faintly pale. "You have heard that Sir Francis Boyle is married?" "Yes"--he was still smiling--"to Miss Brett, a beauty and a fortune." Susannah leant forward, resting her cheek in her hand, her elbow on the arm of the chair; her brow was anxious, and her gaze rested with painful attention on the Earl's calm countenance. "When are you going to marry Selina Boyle?" she asked. He gave her a quick look; she read nothing but surprise in his fair, fickle eyes. "Of all things I had not expected this," he said, and laughed a little. "You think I have no right to speak, but I am her friend, and I must ask how long will you keep her waiting?" My lord slightly flushed. "I am not betrothed to Miss Boyle." "Oh, Rose," cried Miss Chressham, drawing a deep breath, "will you use forever this formality to me? She, Selina, told me herself, and I--have I not been a faithful confidante?" She paused, collected herself and continued, "I heard to-day from Bristol; she does not mention you; but she must be wondering, and why are you delaying? Rose, you have been free nearly a year." "By Gad, you put me in an awkward position," said the Earl. "On my honour I do not know what to say to you." He rose and leant against the top of the settee, looking at her curiously. "Why delay?" Miss Chressham spoke earnestly, almost passionately. "Announce it, go down to Bristol; neither decency nor honour demand any further tribute to the memory of that unhappy lady." "Susannah," he interrupted. "You speak under the influence of an error." "An error?" she echoed. "Yes, I do not intend to marry Miss Boyle." "Rose!" the exclamation seemed wrung from her by sheer bitter surprise. She stared at him incredulously. He coloured, deeply now, to his powdered side-curls. "I do not know what impossible romance you have been building, Susannah, but this you speak of I have never even contemplated." "You--you do not intend to marry Selina?" "You imagined I did? My dear, it would be the simplest folly." Susannah rose and rested her hand against the mantelshelf. "Please put this clearly," she said; "why would it be folly?" He smiled. "You yourself, my dear, have remarked the state of my fortunes--Miss Boyle is not wealthy." "Money--again money!" cried Miss Chressham in horrified accents. "Do you dare to consider money--after all that has passed?" "It is a necessary evil," said the Earl. "But you love her!" broke from Susannah.