The light and charming music of the gavotte repeated itself; the bright-hued dresses of the dancers formed graceful moving patterns on the polished floor; the glow of a thousand wax candles and the soft sound of laughing voices were diffused very pleasantly.
Marius glanced covertly at his cousin and Miss Boyle. They were conversing together in low, earnest tones, neither taking any heed of him. He moved still further away, so as not to appear to court their notice, and walked languidly down the ballroom.
The dance came to an end. The orange and red domino left her partner and came straight to Marius Lyndwood.
She held out her hand, and he could not pretend that he did not know her, but he gave her greeting of the coldest.
"I did not think to be here, Lady Lyndwood. Chance brought me."
"How eager you are to explain that!" she answered in her clear, scornful tone. "All the evening you have had that speech on your tongue: 'I did not come because you asked me, because you told me the colour of your dress, but—chance brought me!' Well, since you are here, it is much the same, is it not?"
"I came because Miss Chressham desired it," he answered stiffly, "and to see my lord. He is here?"
"Is it you or your cousin who wishes to see my lord?" asked the Countess. "Your cousin, of course." And she laughed.
"Is he here, my lady?" repeated Marius angrily.
"Oh yes, he is here—courting Miss Trefusis, who is quite the fashion now. But shall we not be remarked?" Her hand slipped under his domino and clung to his velvet sleeve. "Take me out of the ballroom."