She said, after a time:
"Lady Lanswell, I have a great favor to ask of you. If you do not wish to go back to England just yet, will you join me? I am trying to persuade Lady Cambrey to make a tour through Spain."
She drew a long breath of relief when the words were spoken, she was so thankful to have them said and done with. She mentally resolved that never would she promise to do anything of this kind again. Lady Lanswell's calm restored hers.
"To Spain?" repeated the countess. "What a traveler you are, Lady Marion. What has put Spain into your mind?"
"I have always longed to see the Alhambra," said Lady Marion, with perfect truth. "As we are so near, it would be a pity to go back without seeing it."
"I quite agree with you. It may be some years before you come on the Continent again—you are quite right to go to Spain. And you really wish us to join your party?"
"Certainly, I should be delighted; it would increase my pleasure a hundred-fold," replied the young heiress, promptly.
"You are very kind to say so. I will go if you can persuade Lord Chandos to go with us."
"How can I do that?" she asked, with a smile. "Teach me how to 'persuade,' Lady Lanswell. I have never been able to 'persuade' any one."
The countess rose from her seat with a light laugh.