“I came to make my confession, not to hear yours. How shall I atone for all I have brought on you? What shall I do now?”
“I—I only want some friends, and—and some one to speak to,” said Neaera, with a forlorn little sigh.
The Marquis took her hand and kissed it gallantly. “If that is all,” said he, smiling, “perhaps we may manage.”
“Thanks,” said Neaera, putting her handkerchief into her pocket.
“That’s right! Blodwell and Vane are here too, and——”
“I don’t much care about them; but——”
“Oh, they’re all on your side.”
“Are they? I needn’t see more of them than I like, need I?”
The Marquis was not young, no, nor inexperienced; but, all the same, he was not proof against this flattery. “Perhaps they won’t stay long,” he said.