"How vastly foolish that we are all fallen grave over this! Now I am going down to the lodge to leave my letters for the night coach, it will be passing soon. Do you remember how we used to wait for it? Nay, you must not come with me; I shall be only a moment, a few moments."
She stepped out on to the terrace, her red gown showed a moment against the dark, then disappeared.
Marius Lyndwood was following her, when the Countess called him.
"Come and talk to me, Marius; Susannah is quite well alone."
He was beside her instantly; a slender eager figure he looked leaning against the wide mantelshelf with the golden candle-light over him.
Lady Lyndwood kept silent, but her eyes were busy with him; the lace had fallen from her blonde curls and lay shimmering about her shoulders, she moved her fan to and fro as if she did not know she had it there.
"Dear heart," she said softly, "you are wearing a miniature round your neck; may I see it?"
Marius became slowly pale and did not answer, but he loosened from his stock the black ribbon his mother had noticed, and held out the gold case.
The Countess opened it, gazed at the timid placid face of a girl it contained, and sighed and smiled.
"Where did you meet her, Marius?" she asked.