"Can it be, Lady Mary," De Lacy asked, "you do not know that two months since, Marie d'Artois was wedded to the Duc de Boiselle?"
For a moment Lady Mary was taken aback; then she laughed gayly and arose.
"I will leave you to discuss the other two Maries," she said, and moved away… "Perhaps they, too, are married," she added, over her shoulder.
De Lacy looked after her contemplatively.
"I wonder," said he, "why the Lady Mary Percy resents my preferring you to her."
"Do you?" the Countess asked—then held up her hand. "Stop, sir, you may not answer—I did but jest."
"And may I not answer … in jest?" leaning toward her.
She shook her head. "No, sir, you may not; and if you attempt it, I shall leave you instantly."
"Pardieu!" said he; "you are the most alluringly tantalizing woman I have ever known. The evening of the ride you would scarce look at me, but talked with Lord Darby all the time."
"He was making his farewells; he left the following morning."