"Oh, la, Susannah, I only heard that she was at the Wells, and what a name she had for a belle, and how Rose was paying her a deal of attention--you must know that!" Miss Chressham was completely off her guard. "No!" she cried; "and I cannot understand Selina--she writes from Bristol, and Rose is in London." "Why, this was a month or so ago, maybe," answered Marius. "Still, it is rather curious," remarked the Countess. "Rose never spoke of her--and their names coupled! my dear, it would be an impossible match." Susannah Chressham put her letter into her pocket. "After all, they met here, Aunt Agatha." She spoke slowly, looking the while at the moonlit park, "And why should Rose mention it? and as for the gossip, people will always gossip about anyone like Rose." Lady Lyndwood fluttered open a delicate ivory fan. "Last time it was Mrs. Fanshawe--and one always hears it so indirectly," she complained. Marius glanced from her to his cousin. "It seems I have thrown the apple of discord, my lady; I was foolish to repeat it, but I thought you would know!" Susannah laughed, clearly and suddenly. "How vastly foolish that we are all fallen grave over this! Now I am going down to the lodge to leave my letters for the night coach, it will be passing soon. Do you remember how we used to wait for it? Nay, you must not come with me; I shall be only a moment, a few moments." She stepped out on to the terrace, her red gown showed a moment against the dark, then disappeared. Marius Lyndwood was following her, when the Countess called him. "Come and talk to me, Marius; Susannah is quite well alone." He was beside her instantly; a slender eager figure he looked leaning against the wide mantelshelf with the golden candle-light over him. Lady Lyndwood kept silent, but her eyes were busy with him; the lace had fallen from her blonde curls and lay shimmering about her shoulders, she moved her fan to and fro as if she did not know she had it there. "Dear heart," she said softly, "you are wearing a miniature round your neck; may I see it?" Marius became slowly pale and did not answer, but he loosened from his stock the black ribbon his mother had noticed, and held out the gold case. The Countess opened it, gazed at the timid placid face of a girl it contained, and sighed and smiled. "Where did you meet her, Marius?" she asked. He answered, looking away. "In Vienna--in Paris;" then he added, "she is coming to London this autumn, and then I may see her again." Lady Lyndwood returned the locket. "Is she very sweet?" "Yes," said Marius Lyndwood stiffly; "I do not know her people--we met by chance--but I found her--sweet." The Countess fell into silence again; she thought of Rose, who had never mentioned to her the name of any woman in this manner, and she looked at the ardent, innocent face of her younger son. She spoke at last, under her breath.