And my lady could not destroy the lingering hope she saw in that fair face.
"Not yet," she cried, "but you must be patient, Marion."
"Patience is so difficult when so much is at stake. Tell me—you had some plan, some resource; I saw that when you left me. Have you tried it?"
"Yes, I have tried it," replied Lady Lanswell, sadly.
"Has it succeeded or failed?" she asked, eagerly.
"It has failed," answered the countess, dreading to see the effect of her reply.
But to her surprise, a tender, dreamy smile came over the fair face.
"Why are you smiling, Marion?" she asked.
"Because I, too, have a plan," she replied; "one quite of my own; and I pray Heaven it may succeed."
"Will you tell it me?" asked Lady Lanswell.