Valerie submitted in silence.
"Oh, by the way, however, I think I heard some one say that you had met the count at the court of St. Petersburg?" pursued Lady C.
"I—have met him," answered Valerie, in the same level tone.
"I am boring you, I fear, with this young Russian, my dear, but—"
"Oh no," softly interrupted Valerie.
"I was about to explain that I feel some interest in him from the fact that he is betrothed to my niece—"
"Betrothed! Your niece!" exclaimed Valerie, surprised out of the apathy of her despair.
"Yes, my love. Is there anything wonderful in that? It is a way these continental people have of doing things, you see. The Count Waldemar and my niece were betrothed to each other in their childhood. There is a very great attachment between them—at least on her part. The child seems to think that there is but one man in the world and his name is Waldemar de Volaski."
"But—I did not know—I thought—I did not think—the count had ever been in England," incoherently murmured Valerie.
"Nor has he; but what has that to do with it?" smiled her ladyship.