The Countess yawned; her youthfulness had vanished before the life of a lady of fashion, she looked ten years older than her age, sallow without her powder and undistinguished without her splendid attire; her eyes were shadowed and wretched, her mouth dragged; she might be a beauty by candle-light, she was no longer a beauty in her own chamber. She caught up a worn book in a paper cover and wearily fluttered the pages, but the stale romance could not hold her; she looked up eagerly when the door opened, and even faintly smiled as her maid entered. Honoria Pryse crossed the room in her quick, delicate way; her shrewd, clear-cut face was slightly flushed. "You have been a long time," said her mistress. "What have you been doing?" Honoria put her hand to the muslin fichu crossed over her bosom. "I have something to tell you, my lady." The Countess sat up, jerking the dog off her dress. "What?" she pitched the book across the room; it hit the leg of a chair, and fell on the floor, an untidy mass of twisted pages; the spaniel whined peevishly. "Last night, when you were out, my lady, I went downstairs to hear what they were talking of." "My lord, you mean?" asked the Countess sharply. "Why didn't you tell me before?" "Have a little patience, my lady. Sir Thomas was here and Mr. Steyning; they came on from the Palace about twelve o'clock; they talked of politics in my lord's study; he seemed to be suggesting a position for Sir Francis Boyle, but I couldn't hear much when they shut the door; but afterwards when the gentlemen left my lord stayed on below, and I came down again to see what he was about. I went into the library, which was in darkness, and from the open folding doors saw my lord writing; there was a letter lying by his elbow, on a lady's paper, in a lady's hand." The Countess made a little impatient movement. "Be quick," she said. Honoria was in no way put out. "I thought of Miss Boyle; my lord's manner had been of a restrained desperation, and his speaking of Sir Francis----" "Ye have been thinking of Selina Boyle for a year past," interrupted her mistress, "and it has come to nought." "It has come to a great deal," replied Honoria Pryse. "I saw my lord looking at this letter as if he consulted it in what he wrote--a reply, then he folded it and placed it in the top drawer of the cabinet and turned suddenly towards the library--he passed me, so close, but I slipped behind the door, then into the study, opened the drawer and got the letter." "Got the letter!" cried the Countess. "I left by the other door into the passage--my lord had gone for his keys. I peeped through the crack and saw him lock the drawer, then he left the house. Fenton says he returned about four this morning." The Countess held out her hand. "Give me the letter--who is it from?--why did you not tell me before of this?"