He bent and kissed the fingers among the rose-leaves. "Farewell!" he said, on a half-sigh, yet smiling. She moved away from the gate, back among the boughs of fragrant box. For the first time suddenly she used his name. "Rose! Rose!" The Earl stood, looking at her; then she turned towards the house, and he down the road, wondering at her, at himself, and staring at the great mass of white roses that he was carrying, he knew not why. CHAPTER III A MAY NIGHT The curtain fell on the last act of _Zaîre_. "I do not like Monsieur Voltaire," said Susannah Chressham. She and her companion, Miss Westbrook, moved on the outskirts of the crowd that filled the music-room in Villiers Street. "Shall we go?" asked Miss Westbrook, unfurling her fan. "Why, not yet. Where is my lady?" "I saw her but now with my mother." They turned into the card-rooms that opened from the large hall. "That tedious tragedy has given me a headache," remarked Miss Chressham, seating herself on one of the gilt chairs. A number of violins were playing, and the air was pleasantly heavy with the scent of hot-house roses and syringa. "La, look at that beauty there!" cried Miss Westbrook. Susannah glanced round; she coloured. "Do you not know her? 'Tis Miss Trefusis." "Ah, then a swinging fortune, too!" said Helen Westbrook. Susannah understood her tone, but her answer closed the subject. "There is Captain Lestrange coming for you, my dear; you promised to be of his party at a game of faro. If you see my lady tell her that I am waiting here." Miss Westbrook laughed and moved away into the crowd. Susannah rested her elbow on the table and put her hand over her eyes. The glitter of the chandeliers, the gleaming of the gilt and satin walls, the bright colours of the dresses hurt her eyes. She sat so for a while, indifferent to the crowd that passed and repassed, aware of the music, but listening to the insistent clamour of her own agitated thoughts. When she at last looked up it was to see my lord, splendidly dressed in white and silver and conspicuously attended by those eager to be in the fashion, entering the room. Her vacant look was replaced by one of eagerness. She made a motion with her black fan. He saw it at once, left those who crowded round him and crossed over to her. "So you are back--so soon," she greeted him a little breathlessly. "I made post haste--I travelled all night." He was smiling, his manner as always of an indifferent gaiety; but to Susannah's keen observation his beautiful eyes looked shadowed and weary. "You did not stay long in Bristol?" "A few moments only." "Ah!" She rose. "Let us walk about a little; you cannot say much here." "It is very crowded to-night," he remarked, looking about him with distaste. "I hate the place." "Then why have you come?" she challenged him. "To see you. I was at my Lord Carlisle's for dinner; afterwards, in the Haymarket, I learnt you were here."