My lady guessed by the sudden expression of pain on his face where his thoughts had gone. She recalled them.
"Tastes differ so greatly," she said. "Do you really consider Lady Marion beautiful, Lance?"
"Yes, I have seen no one more lovely," he answered.
Then the countess dismissed the subject—too much must not be said at once. She did not mention Lady Marion's name again that evening, but she saw that her son looked often at her, and she smiled to think the bait had taken.
Again they were walking through the vast gardens of one of the Roman palaces, when the whole party met. Lady Cambrey was with her niece; Lord Chandos was near the countess, but not close by her side. The ladies met, exchanged a few words, then parted, the countess not having made the least effort to introduce her son; he spoke of it afterward.
"Mother," he said, "you did not introduce me to Lady Erskine."
Lady Lanswell smiled calmly.
"It was out of pure consideration for her; they tell me she has so many admirers in Rome. From what I know of her, you would not be quite in her style."
The words piqued him.
"Why not?" he asked.