She turned and gave him a curious, quiet look.
"Are you going to ask me to go back?" she said.
"I would thank you on my knees," he answered, "if you could listen to my cousin; if you could find it in you to return." He paused a second; both the women looked at him intently. With a quick breath and added force, he continued: "Yet I think you speak the truth, and I know I have been wrong, and that our house hath not been so honourable in this matter, and—" He paused again, then frantically, "Oh, God!" he cried, "there are things impossible to speak of—things that sear the lips! I am a coward, and I would that I were dead!"
"Marius!" cried Miss Chressham, wan and rigid, horror in her eyes. "I cannot find you in this behaviour. Why do you hesitate? What is there to weigh with you against the fact that this woman is Rose's wife?"
The Countess gave a sudden laugh.
"He knows this woman loves him, and that fact weighs something with a man."
Marius put his hand before his face, and Susannah drew back aghast.
"You outrage all shame!" she said hoarsely. "Are you without all honour that you dare say this to my face?"
The Countess turned her back on her.