“I am content to see it as it is, and you so beautiful.”
“And when to-night is over you will want it back?”
But Mariana smiled, half dreamily.
“To-night is not yet over, and you will never wish to part with such a robe. You begged it from the Master, and you’ll keep it I know none other who would care to bear so great a load, though in its beauty all forget to think of that.”
“I do not find it very heavy.”
“It’s well.”
Suddenly Rosalie laughed.
“I say, Mariana,” said she, “suppose—suppose when I come to Marble House it should shine red all round about me. They’d take me for a veritable scarlet woman. I have misgivings. I remember once before.”
But Mariana shook her head.
“I heard from the Master you had gained strength from weakness; and I heard from Everard you had jewels of your own that you have worn to counteract the fatal charm of these.”