"No, you have been the best of mothers, my lady," he responded. "I never saw you in an ill temper in my life; perhaps that is why you look so young. You do look absurdly young, you know," he added, gazing at her with affectionate admiration.
When the countess seemed lost in thought, Leycester added:
"Devereux says that the majority of English wives and mothers look so girlish that he believes it must be the custom to marry them when they are children."
The countess smiled.
"Lord Devereux is master of fine phrases, Leycester. Yes, I was married very young."
Then she looked round the room: a strange reluctance to commence the task she had set herself took possession of her.
"You have made your rooms very pretty, Leycester."
He leant back, watching her with a smile.
"You haven't come to talk about my rooms, mother."
Then she straightened herself for her work.