"I think you are wrong," said the Earl. "There are few chances in London; but it is for you to choose your own way." He seated himself on the couch, and Marius looked at him earnestly; my lord glanced up and their eyes met. "Do you wish an appointment about the Court?" asked the Earl; his handsome eyes were weary and his face pallid in contrast with his bright unpowdered hair. Marius could not understand what had happened to make them such strangers, nor how in a year they could have drifted so far apart; a sensation of utter depression came over him. "What is the matter with you, Marius?" asked Rose Lyndwood with a slight note of challenge in his voice. His brother gazed out into the grey street from which the sun had disappeared. "I do not wish to hang about the Court, my lord." The Earl observed him sharply. "What do you propose to do?" Marius kept his face averted. "I wish to go somewhere, to be quartered in some country town, where I can live on my pay," he answered reservedly. "By Gad!" said my lord softly. "What whim is this?" Marius turned swiftly. "Isn't it an honest wish, my lord? Isn't it an honest wish to desire to take no more money from you?" "Are we discussing honesty?" smiled the Earl. "You are in a strange mood, Marius." The young soldier coloured, gloom overcame him again. "Your lordship and I will never understand each other," he said hopelessly. "Why not?" asked his brother kindly. "I do not know." Marius spoke in a constrained way. "I suppose that we are in such different positions--of such different natures." My lord gave his charming laugh. "You go too deep for me, Marius; say what you wish and I will endeavour to comprehend it." But Marius Lyndwood was silent. "What is this between you and me?" continued the Earl lightly. "You have a look of judgment as one who would say, 'Faith, I am ashamed of this brother of mine.'" "I do not like this life," answered Marius gloomily. "Nothing is as I thought it would be--matters seem very worthless." Rose Lyndwood laughed. "Your malady is plain, my dear: you are too young and too serious; a season in London will cure you." Marius moved from the window. "I might have known that you would sneer at me," he said, holding his head haughtily, "but scoff as you will, my lord, I have no zest for these follies that please you." My lord laughed again; there was no change in his handsome face; under his air of lightness a melancholy indifference seemed habitual. "My follies are my own affair, are they not?" he asked carelessly. "I do not know," answered Marius, "but it seems to me 'tis an ignoble business, as you have handled it." "As I have handled it?" questioned the Earl. "You will reprove me for my impertinence if I speak further," said Marius, "and you are the head of the house; yet perhaps those few years between us do not rob me of the right to say that your courses go far to dishonour us."