The young Count carried the hand to his lips, and kissed it fervently.
'Can you ask me that to-day, a day which has seen my every wish fulfilled? I know that you made a great sacrifice in giving your consent, and that you have had to fight many a battle with my uncle on my behalf.'
The Countess repressed a sigh at this mention of her brother.
'Armand will never forgive me for yielding. Perhaps he is right! It would have been my duty, no doubt, to maintain the traditions of our house. And yet I could not resist your entreaties. I desired, at least, to see you happy.'
As she spoke, she glanced involuntarily at the old Count's portrait hanging opposite. Edmund caught the look, and understood the thought underlying the words.
'You were not happy?' he asked in a low tone.
'My husband never once in the whole course of my married life gave me ground for complaint. He was always most kind and indulgent towards me.'
'But he was an old man,' said Edmund, gazing up at his father's kindly but withered features; 'and you were young and beautiful, like Hedwig, and had a right to expect all happiness in life. My poor dear!' his voice shook with suppressed emotion. 'It is only since I have been so happy myself that I have understood how dreary and desolate your life must have been, notwithstanding all my father's goodness. He could not love you with the ardour of youth. You bore your lot bravely always, but it must be a hard lot, nevertheless, to have constantly to listen to the dictates of duty, and to stifle the voice which calls for a fuller life and fuller happiness.'
He paused, for the Countess sharply withdrew her hand from his, and turned away from him and the picture.
'Enough, Edmund!' she said, with a hasty gesture. 'You distress me.'