"A year ago," repeated the Countess vaguely; "yes, just before Rose married." "I was thinking of Lavinia," said Miss Chressham quietly; "he has not seen her since." The Countess Agatha laughed. "I expect he has forgotten her, my dear, certainly she has forgotten him." "I suppose so; but, just at first, it might be painful for them, and can one forget, like that?" Miss Chressham took her musing face in her two fair hands and gazed absently at her own lovely reflection in the oval mirror opposite. "Oh! my dear, you get too deep for me," the Countess smiled prettily; "it was vastly sad at the time, but now everything moves along quite properly, and Lavinia has behaved very well." "She has acquired a manner," responded Miss Chressham, "and she has been discreet." "Which is quite sufficient; but then you never liked her." "How could I? No, I dislike her, and her maid." "It is quite a pity," answered the Countess, "for really I can discern no fault in her; of course she was wild at first, and difficult; and, of course, she is only middle-class at heart now, but she is not in any way openly discreditable; indeed, she passes very well for a lady of fashion." "That is not what I mean," said Miss Chressham. "I think there is mischief in her, and mischief in that Honoria Pryse; and I think it may be difficult, with Marius." The Countess laughed; a habit with her that did not in the least imply that she was amused. "I am sure you are wrong, Susannah," she replied languidly. "Lavinia is merely bent on enjoying herself." "Well, I trust her not; she hath a quick sly way of questioning; the last time I saw her she was trying to discover from me what I knew of Selina Boyle." "Can you blame her if she is sometimes jealous?" asked the Countess. Miss Chressham's foot beat the delicate-hued carpet. "But Rose has not seen Selina save in public since he married, and 'tis understood that it is to be a match between her and Sir Francis," she answered impatiently. "And I know not how she can be jealous of one whom she doth not even pretend a regard for." "Well, you always thought Rose's marriage a mistake," remarked the elder lady placidly; she could not say she did, there was the money, and she had enjoyed it, was enjoying it, vastly. Miss Chressham suddenly swerved from the subject. "Selina and her father are coming to town; they have taken a house in Golden Square for the season. Sir Francis is delighted; I suppose they will be married this year." The Countess raised her delicate head and looked at the silver-gilt clock. "Where has Marius gone, my dear; isn't he late?" Susannah was well used to reminding her aunt of things that lady knew perfectly well. "He has gone to attend my Lord Willouby," she smiled. "And I think he will be back very soon." "I recall it," said the Countess Agatha. "Do you think he will be ordered abroad again?" "Not to Madrid, I hope; he seems wearied of it to the death, doth he not?"