"Is that you, my lord? I have not even begun the letter."
He looked over his shoulder and remained in that attitude, clasping the arm of the chair.
The Countess Lavinia stood inside the door. Her close purple gown was undone at the throat. Her complexion a ghastly colour; she wore no ornaments.
"Aspasia!" said Marius.
"Hush!" she answered. "Hush!"
He rose now, still staring at her.
"Aspasia!" he repeated, and blenched as if he beheld a spirit.
She came nearer.
"I am no ghost," she said, in a voice full of horror; "but your brother's wife." She put her hand to her forehead, and pushed back the damp dark hair. "I have been watching for this chance. I crept down; I saw you come in here. His cousin is singing to him."
Marius shuddered and straightened himself.