The earl looked at the beautiful, distressed face.
"I am very sorry," he said, "sorry for you, Lance, and the lady, but I cannot receive her as your wife."
"She is my wife, whether you receive her or not," said Lord Chandos. "Leone, how can I apologize to you? I never expected that my father would receive you in this fashion. Father, look at her; think how young, how beautiful she is; you cannot be unkind to her."
"I have no wish to be unkind," said the earl, "but I cannot receive her as your wife."
Then, seeing the color fade from her face, he hastened to find her a chair, and poured out a glass of wine for her; he turned with a stern face to his son.
"What have you been doing?" he cried. "While your mother and I thought you were working hard to make up for lost time, what have you been doing?"
"I have been working very hard," he replied, "and my work will bring forth good fruit; but, father, I have found leisure for love as well."
"So it seems," said the earl, dryly; "perhaps you will tell me who this lady is, and why she comes home with you?"
"My wife; her name was Leone Noel; she is now Lady Chandos."
For the first time Leone spoke.