The postillions and footmen jumped down, but, quicker than they, Rose Lyndwood opened the door and sprang out.

"Ah, Susannah!" he said. His voice had a note of relief; he pulled off his glove and offered her his hand.

Miss Chressham glanced at his face, and her heart gave a sick swerve.

"Where is my lady?" asked the Earl.

Susannah forced herself.

"In the house. I sent Marius to the gate; he must have missed you."

Her eyes travelled anxiously to the coach door. My lord held it open and assisted a lady to alight.

"This is Lavinia," he said.

Susannah's first impression was that she was extremely young and quite pretty; her second that she did not know how to dress.

"My cousin Susannah!" said the Earl.