"There is nothing to fear," I said, reassuring her. "Nothing whatsoever. Your brother is there. That guarantees no harm can come to you. But, besides, Countess Lukstein knows nothing of the affair. No one knows of it but you and I."
She still sat unconvinced upon her saddle.
"How is it you know, Mr. Buckler?" she asked, in a low tone.
"Julian told me," I answered, perceiving that I must needs go further than I intended if I meant to get my way. "Cannot you guess why? I said the Count was dead. I did not tell you how he died. He was killed in a duel."
She looked at me for a moment with a great wonder in her eyes.
"You!" she whispered. "You killed Count Lukstein?"
"It is the truth," I answered. "And the Countess knows so little of the affair that she is even ignorant of that."
"Are you sure?"
"Should I come here a-visiting, think you, if she knew?"
The words seemed somewhat to relieve her of apprehension, and she asked: