“O, these little domestic differences; they will occur! Unsuited, I suppose. It was her suggestion; but it makes things somewhat awkward for the moment.” He heaved a profound sigh. “Alone—always alone, you see! What a goose to be a lord!”
She eyed him roguishly.
“She’s been finding out things about you: don’t tell me!”
He sighed again. “What a goose, what a goose!” and then started, as if remembering something. “O! and there’s another secret.”
“Another?” said she, thrilled; and irresistibly she leaned her ear towards him.
“Listen!” he said, and, with a single step, had dived and snatched a kiss.
“You devil!” she cried, starting away. “If I don’t pay you for that——”
The word died on her lips. They were both simultaneously aware that the young Countess had come unnoticed into the room, and was standing regarding them with stony eyes.
My lord, coughing and feeling at his cravat, tried to hum a little nonchalant air, failed conspicuously, and, hesitating a moment, yielded incontinent to the better part of valour, and swaggered out by the door, with a little run at the last as if he felt behind him the invisible persuasion of a boot. Some minutes of pregnant silence succeeded his departure. Mrs. Davis was the first to break it.
“I’m—I’m glad to see your ladyship looking so bonny.”