"It is on Selina's account," murmured Susannah, in a colourless voice. "Well, he is a good swordsman."
Marius looked at her quickly; the Earl had chosen pistols.
She roused herself dully.
"Will you take me home? It is getting late. We must be glad Lavinia hath returned." She fixed her distracted eyes on Marius. "Shall we tell my lady, or—suppose they brought him home as his father was brought?"
"He hath been in duels before."
"But this is no fencing bout!" A sudden horror sprang into her voice. "Marius, this is not with pistols?"
He could not lie to her; his silence was answer and confirmation.
She did not speak.
"I could do no more!" he cried, goaded by her face. "I let him strike me because of you. His blood is not on my sword, nor mine on his. As for this, it is not for his honour to interfere."
Susannah moved blindly across the room.