"She did."
The count breathed again.
"But what the deuce put such an idea into your head as to marry him to your sister?"
"She is only my sister-in-law."
"That does not matter. What an idea to think of marrying one's sister-in-law to the first person picked up on the high road!"
"I assure you this young man is not just—"
"Never mind! She refused, did she not? That is the chief thing."
"I hope to make her think better of it."
"You must be quite mad."
"But tell me, why should she refuse? Explain if you can! Unless, indeed, she cares for some one else."