A friend joined him, no other than Colonel Clifford, who laughed to see him sitting with that intent look.
"So you are doing what you said you never would do," he said.
"What is that?" asked Lord Vivianne.
"Joining in popular devotion," was the laughing reply.
"Clifford," said Lord Vivianne, "do you know that girl—the one with diamonds in her golden hair, and white flowers in her hands?"
Colonel Clifford laughed to himself.
"Yes," he replied, "I know her. She is the Lady Studleigh, the handsome earl's only daughter, Lord Linleigh's heiress, the queen of the season, the belle, par excellence, of St. James'."
"Lady Studleigh!—that Lady Studleigh!" he repeated. "I do not believe you—I cannot believe you!" he gasped.
"It is a great pity, as it is most certainly true. Do you not know the Earl of Linleigh? The other lady with them is the countess. She was the Duke of Downsbury's daughter."
"That Lady Studleigh! I cannot believe it! It cannot be!"