Marius moistened his lips.
"Has he said anything?"
"To me, this evening, he warned me. I think you had better leave for Paris."
"Because of the Countess Lavinia?" Marius spoke unsteadily.
Something in his troubled, distracted bearing touched her; a kinder look came into her passionate eyes.
"Oh, Marius, there was the old wretched mistake; Rose must remember it. You wooed her first, after all; well, when he sees you together—you must respect his pride."
Marius drew back against the leather cushions and unaccountably laughed.
"The Countess Lavinia," he said wildly, "I loathe her."
He clenched his hand and brought it down with vehement force on the seat beside him.
"Then you will go away?" Susannah spoke softly.