The Countess glanced at him.
"Is anything the matter?" she asked suddenly.
"Can you see so much?" He was still smiling. "Yes, but I will not trouble you with it yet, my lady."
He crossed to the table.
"I must speak to Marius."
An expression of annoyance clouded Lady Lyndwood's fair face.
"This is a poor home-coming, Rose. I have not seen you for months—and 'tis the first evening I have had Marius."
The Earl seated himself at the table.
"I am sorry," he said.