"Good even," said the Earl, and turned his back to gather up his gloves. Marius, miserable, angry, hot at heart, turned from the room and closed the door fiercely after him. There was a dim light in the hall and she was there, crouching against the panelling. Even as he saw her the knowledge that she had been listening stabbed into his blood. "Madam!" he said below his breath. "Well?" she whispered defiantly. She had her teeth in her handkerchief, and was tearing it to rags; her thin cheeks were flushed carmine, her eyes excitedly bright. "I heard what passed; what do you think of him now?" "I am sorry for you," he answered in a shamed voice, "that you--should--do this." The Countess laid her hand on his sleeve. "Ah! you spoke for me!" she said exultingly. "And I could kiss your feet for it; but, hush!----" "He comes," interrupted Marius in an agony. "Shall he find us whispering behind his doors?" She drew back. "Come to Grafton's mask," she replied. "I will send you a note of my dress." She turned swiftly and in a light noiselessness sped up the wide quiet stairs. Marius stood still beneath the gentle glow of the silver lamp; so she took him for her champion--she bound him to her service--it had come to notes and appointments. He grasped the handle of the door that concealed his brother; it was in his mind to return to him. And say--what? The red mounted to his cheeks, his brow; it was not so long ago since he had adored her, and she had been unfairly treated. Rose had laughed; what would Rose care? He took up his hat and left the house. As he turned into the street he felt the evening air cold on his face, and looking up beheld a solitary star above the dark houses of Panton Square. He thought of the Countess with pain and misgiving, and his young face was stormy, but she did not wholly occupy his mind; like a pleasant odour pervading everything was the remembrance of Susannah Chressham waiting his return in the soft-hued room in the Haymarket; he dwelt on the image of her and found it the image of gentleness and joy, soothing to consider. He hastened his steps homewards, nor did it occur to him to look back at his brother's house, where the Countess leant from an upper window with the keen wind dishevelling her hair and watched him eagerly out of sight. CHAPTER IV THE PARAGRAPH IN THE "GAZETTE" "My dear," said Miss Selina Boyle, "I am in some trouble, and must seek your advice even at the risk of a confession." Her exquisite face was half concealed by the shadow of her large black hat, but over her round chin and throat, over the radiant hair that flowed in glittering little curls on to her muslin bodice, the afternoon sun, pouring through the long French window, rested brightly. She had come upon Miss Chressham at tea; the delicate china was set out on the tulip-wood table, and Susannah, pale and fair in lavender, had laid aside her tapestry frame. "A confession!" she smiled.