After a little while, given to meditation on what she had heard, Berenice, with her hand still clasped in that of Herman Brudenell, looked up at him and said:
"Your mother and sisters?"
Slowly and sadly Mr. Brudenell shook his head:
"Ah, Berenice! I shall have to tell you now of a family self marred, as a set-off to the boy self-made."
And then he told the grievous story of the decadence of the
Brudenell ladies, not, of course, forgetting the mad marriage of
Eleanor Brudenell with the profligate Captain Dugald.
While Bernice was still wondering over these family mistakes and misfortunes, a footman opened the door and said:
"My lady, dinner is served."
"Have Judge Merlin and Lady Vincent returned from their drive?" inquired the countess.
"Yes, my lady; the judge and her ladyship are in the drawing room with Mr. Worth."
"Mr. Brudenell, will you give me your arm?" said the countess, rising, with a smile.