“I have nothing to blame her Majesty for,” replied the ex-lady of honor, “and I should be unjust if I did not acknowledge her Majesty’s kind treatment.”
“I hinted at this, because I have lately noticed that the friendship seemed to show a falling off,” continued the count.
“That is possible, and that is why I am leaving the court.”
“But you will live so lonely?”
“Have I not always lived so, my lord?” sighed Andrea, “as maid—wife—“ she stopped, seeing that she was going too far.
“Do you make me a reproach?”
“What right have I in heaven’s name to make reproaches to your lordship?” retorted the countess: “do you believe I have forgot the circumstances under which we were plighted? Just the opposite of those who vow before the altar reciprocal love and mutual protection, we swore eternal indifference and complete separation. The blame would be to the one who forgot that oath.”
Charny caught the sigh which these words had not entirely suppressed, from the speaker’s heart.
“But this is such a small dwelling,” he said: “a countess in one sitting room with only another to eat in, and this for repose——“
She sprang in between him and the bedroom, seeing Sebastian behind the door, in her mind’s eye.