She moved away to the table that held the forget-me-nots and bent over them; then he looked at her, at the long fair curls flowing between her shoulders over her gleaming pink gown, and the slender hand hanging by her side.
"I want to do something worth while, Susannah," he said quietly "to make a position for myself—this has all been Rose, Rose's money."
"I think you had better go," she answered slowly, "though we miss you very much, Marius."
He went suddenly pale.
"I want to thank you for writing to me so often," he said abruptly. "If I go away will you still write to me?"
She faced him, smiling.
"Of course, Marius."
He sat silent; she noticed his pallor and his serious mouth, and faintly wondered; he had been rather moody since his return.
"Well," she said, "my lady sent me to see if you were here, that was all; we have the mantua-maker upstairs; but expect us at dinner!" she laughed.
"Can you not stay?" he demanded.