"But he can act for his wife——"
"His wife—there is the point. Will she, when she understandeth clearly what is afoot, support her husband, her father, or herself?"
The Countess was silent a little, then said—
"She hath no reason to love her father; he hath never sent her as much as a present since she went to The Hague, nor shown any manner of love for her."
"Yet he counteth on her loyalty as a positive thing—and hath she any cause to love her husband either?"
Lady Sunderland's smile deepened.
"Ladies will love their husbands whether they have cause or no."
The Earl looked gently cynical.
"She was a child when she was married, and the match was known to be hateful to her; she is still very young, and a Stewart. Do you not think she is like to be ambitious?"
"How can I tell? Doth it make so much difference?"