"My lord told me," she said, and her wide eyes dilated.
"I wonder what he told you," replied the Countess. "I wonder what name you gave to me, among yourselves?"
"None I would not use to your face," answered Susannah Chressham, breathing hard. "But why this tone to me, madam? What has happened must be borne by all of us."
"What do you think he has to bear?" asked the Countess.
Miss Chressham straightened herself.
"Do you speak of my lord and cousin, madam?"
"I speak of the Earl of Lyndwood, madam, my husband." She turned her large fierce eyes on Susannah, and passion sprang up in them like a flame. "My husband, and may God curse him and his house as I curse him and his!"
The blood rushed to Miss Chressham's face.
"You are mad!" she said furiously.