"That is, as you say, some satisfaction," said my lord. "Otherwise it was not worth it--by God, not worth it!" His tone, his expression, startled her. "Why did you do it?" she cried. "You were madly reckless." He took his pipe from his pocket and filled it with a trembling hand. "To have sold myself!" he muttered. Again her heart gave the lurch it had done when she first saw his expression; but before she could speak he had made an effort with himself. "But I do not know why I speak like this. You are too sympathetic, my dear"--he smiled--"and I suppose I am a little tired, too, of sitting still in a coach. Is Marius pleased with his commission under Willouby?" "Marius is very well content," replied Susannah, but her mind was not on what she said. The Countess Agatha entered. "Rose! I have not spoken to you! What manner of journey had you? Lavinia seems exhausted. I have sent her woman to her, and she wishes to be excused coming down, poor thing! I fear she hath a sad headache." It might have been her own daughter she spoke of, so naturally and gracefully did she refer to Rose's wife. The Earl turned to the door. "I will go find Marius," he said shortly, and left them. "Rose is out of humour," remarked his mother. "Yes," said Susannah abruptly. The Countess looked absently at the reflection of her frail charming person in the mirror by the bookcase. "And no wonder, my dear, all day shut up in a coach with that girl! And Rose of all men!" She laughed, half under her breath. Miss Chressham glanced at her in a kind of shock. "What do you think of her?" she asked. "She is impossible!" answered the Countess at once. "_Gauche_, vapourish, no style, a little sullen, I think. Of course, quite pretty behind a bourgeois tea-table, but no manners! La, poor Rose! She seems afraid of him, too." Susannah was silent. It was startling to find the shallow judgment of the Countess pronounce thus. "But," added that lady sweetly, "what does it matter? Rose will get used to her." "And there is the money," finished Miss Chressham bitterly. "Of course, there is the money." The Countess raised her brows; she thought the remark not quite genteel. "And Marius can have his romance unspoiled, his commission, and his happy future," continued Miss Chressham. "But what is before Rose?" "Oh, my dear, I am no prophetess! I suppose Rose can manage his own affairs. He can certainly manage his own wife; he is so different from Marius." Then she gave the younger woman a sudden pleading look. "Do you think I am vastly selfish in being glad of Rose's marriage, and what it has meant to Marius?" Susannah stooped and kissed her. She could not say anything, nor was it necessary. The Countess brightened at once under the caress.