The Countess was abroad very early the next morning. I discovered her in the courtyard, giving directions to Max and Rudolph who were doing some spading in the garden. She looked very bright and fresh and enticing in the light of an early moon, and I was not only pleased but astonished, having been led to believe all my life that a woman, no matter how pretty she may be, appears at her worst when the day is young.
I joined her at once. She gave me a gay, accusing smile.
"What have you been saying to mother?" she demanded, as she shook hands with me. "I thought you were to be trusted."
I flushed uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, Countess. I—I didn't know it was a secret."
She looked at me somewhat quizzically for a moment. Then she laughed softly. "It is a secret."
"I hope I haven't got you into bad odour with your—"
"Oh, dear me, no! I'm not in the least worried over what mother may think. I shall do as I please, so there's the end of it."
I swallowed something that seemed to be sticking in my throat. "Then it is true that you are going to marry?"
"Quite," she said succinctly.
I was silent for a moment. "Well, I'm—I'm glad to know it in time," I said, rather more gruffly than was necessary.