His languid manner maddened Marius. "Reflect on what you have done, my lord. You have brought me up as a gentleman to think nothing of money--to imagine it was there for me when I was a man. I have seen it spent on all sides, and now you dare face me with this tale of ruin." "By Gad, it is not very pleasant for me," answered the Earl. "You!" cried Marius, goaded. "A spendthrift, a prodigal! Oh, I have heard of your reputation! If you chose to squander a fortune on your pleasures you had no right, I say, no right to involve me in paying the price." He sank into the chair beside the desk again. He was trembling from head to foot, clutching and unclutching his hands in the fine lace at his cuffs. The Earl looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Have you done?" he demanded. "What is the use of speech?" cried Marius bitterly. Rose Lyndwood faintly smiled. "Railing easeth rage," he said. "Hear me a little longer, and I have done. There is the entailed property in Genoa; I will make that over to you----" "Nay," interrupted Marius hotly, "that is poor charity, my lord. I will not be exiled in a dead city." The Earl slightly flushed. "I could get you a captaincy in the Guards." "To starve on my pay!" "Beyond that I can do nothing." Marius pressed his hand to his forehead. "You have wronged me bitterly," he said in a rough voice. The Earl set his beautiful mouth sternly. "These reproaches," he said, "do nought but display your ill-manners!" Marius gave an ugly laugh. "I am not a town rake, so I pray you excuse my behaviour. I have not yet learnt to disguise my vices and my passions." "Enough of that!" said Lord Lyndwood shortly. "Oh, I have heard things of you!" cried Marius, with gleaming eyes. "This fortune was not lost soberly." "Ye speak like a boy," said Rose Lyndwood, "and there is no answer to what you say. What I have done, I have done, and to no one, Marius, will I justify myself." "There is no justification of what you have done," answered his brother, gazing at him. "A pauper, a beggar! I think I hate you, my lord!" The Earl moved slightly towards him. "As you will," he said quickly; "but remember ye held no bond of mine for the fortune you imagined. All you had I gave you." Marius rose; his face was pale and passionate. Since they had entered the room his expression had changed utterly. "So ye would remind me that I have been living on your charity!" he cried. "That ye have educated me----" Lord Lyndwood interrupted. "I had not thought you would take it so hardly, Marius. I did the only thing there was to do--what my father would have desired me to do. While the money was there we spent it." He looked into his brother's angry eyes and his face hardened. "I can say no more." Marius struck his hand on the lace at his breast. "There will be much more to be said, much more," he answered. "You have spoilt my life for me"--he suddenly laughed--"and I suppose I take it damned ungracefully. Good night, my lord."