Then the poor widow, overwhelmed by recollections of a happiness which now seemed the doubly dazzling because it had been so brief, rose to conceal her emotion, and moved restlessly round the room.
Lady Strafford glanced at her and, with an effort to distract her mind, touched on another subject.
"I had a letter from Margaret Lucas in Paris—so ill spelt I can hardly read it; but it seems the Marquess of Newcastle hath come to St. Germains and that they are reading each other's poetry—so belike there will be a match there."
"Ah yes?" said Lady William heavily.
"They have both lost their estates," continued the Countess, "so it will be a fair trial of their love and constancy."
As she spoke there was a light, almost uncertain knock on the door.
Lady Strafford, who, in her narrow circumstances, kept no servant, looked from the window cautiously.
"It is my brother," she said, and the younger lady at once left the room, soon returning accompanied by Sir Denzil Holles.
This gentleman had always been of a contrary party to the Earl of Strafford, and in the first part of his life had seen but little of his magnificent sister. He had, however, done his utmost to save the Earl's life, and was now almost the principle support of the Countess and her children.