The Countess Lavinia turned her head.
"Did you think I was asleep?" she asked in a weary voice.
Honoria crossed to her side.
"You are wet to the skin. Do you wish to kill yourself?"
"I do not feel it," answered the Countess, but she was shivering. "I have been to the Park, Honoria." She put the candle out and leant back in her chair.
"To the duel?"
"Yes." Her voice had a vague far-off sound. "I crept downstairs last night after you had left me, and unloaded his pistols, thinking he would have to fight without a second."
"You did that!" quivered Honoria.
The Countess turned wide glazed eyes on her. She did not seem to know to whom she spoke.