The marquis smiled.
“I thought it was out of fashion to be in love with your wife; forgive me, I have been outside the world so long. Pray go on.”
“And I love another lady.”
“Indeed!” came the cold response. There was no surprise, scarcely a trace even of displeasure, but the keen eyes glittered like those of an eagle as they rested on his handsome, manly face. “Don’t you think it would have saved both of us some trouble and many words if you had mentioned this rather important fact when we were discussing the question the other night?”
Lord Neville smiled faintly.
“I did not know it myself,” he replied; “I had not met the young lady.”
“Ah, love at first sight!” said the marquis. “Interesting, but rather imprudent. You have known her, and loved her, and want to marry her, all in—how many days is it?”
Lord Neville colored.
“I seem to have known her for years,” he said, almost to himself.
“And may I ask—I don’t desire to appear inquisitive—who this young lady is? I didn’t know that you had visited any of the people here. Do I know her?”