"You are a fool, Marius," he said haughtily; "but you must keep your folly to yourself, nor become my lady's puppet defender; her unhappiness, and her patience, and her dumbness are not matters of yours." "In a manner they are matters of mine," answered the other with a kind of fierce heaviness. "I have been to blame--we, both of us, have wronged her." "This is intolerable!" cried my lord. "By Gad, you will anger me." "And yet I only speak the truth." "You speak dangerous foolishness." "My lord, I speak the truth, and ye know it." "Truth or no," said the Earl, "'tis what I will not listen to." "On that we part, my lord." Rose Lyndwood smiled and raised his shoulders scornfully. "I' faith we cannot argue, Marius." "Then, as I say, we part." "Why, you must go your way." Marius stepped aside and looked away, the room began to be full of creeping shadows; it was not easy for either, even with close scrutiny, to catch the changing expression of the other's face. "It is curious," said the Earl, "that we should have parted understanding each other on this matter, and now we meet with this discontent between us. I perceive that what is on your mind refers to the same--the question, my lady's money--it is not one we can discuss." Marius interrupted. "I think I know what you would say, my lord: that for my sake, and for the sake of my lady mother, you made this match." "Nay, you would never hear that from me," rejoined Rose Lyndwood. "But it crossed your mind--it is in Susannah's mind," said Marius gloomily and fiercely; "and it is not true; at first I thought it so, but it was not. Mr. Hilton's money was not bought for us but for yourself, to save yourself from ruin; you married his daughter for no noble consideration but to give you the means to continue this life of a man of fashion; as she said, you wanted the money." "Do you speak to provoke me?" asked my lord breathlessly. "I think I speak to make it all clear to myself," answered Marius slowly. "It sounds so mean put into words and so clear--there was no other way out for you save this marriage--it was not in you even to desire other than this life you led, and so you married your lady; she was forced into it and you allowed her to be forced." Rose Lyndwood laughed, suddenly and unrestrainedly. "My lady has made a rare convert!" he cried. "It is amusing to see you learning virtue at the Countess Lavinia's feet. I wonder what else she will teach you besides hate of me." He picked up his cloak; there was a gleam of the pale pink colour as he flung it about him in the shadows. "I am due at the St. James's coffee-house," he said. "Will you accompany me?" "Is that how you dismiss it?" asked Marius unsteadily. The Earl made a light gesture with his fine hand. "What is there to dismiss? Are you coming with me?" "No." Marius paused a moment, then added, "I take my leave; good-night, my lord." They could no longer distinguish the other's face.