At his elbow lay the ivory framed mirror his brother had put down; it reflected the glimmer of his blue sleeve.
"I am sorry," he repeated; "I had, however, better acquaint Marius—at once."
He leant back in his chair and glanced from one to the other; his long grey eyes were half closed, and his disdainful, cold expression chilled and annoyed my lady.
"Won't you acquaint me also, Rose?" she asked weakly. "I had better know."
She was vaguely aware that with any personal misfortune he would never have troubled them; this, therefore, must be something overwhelming.
The Earl looked at his brother, and Marius spoke.
"Give me leave, my lady; let me hear what Rose has to say."
His young face was serious and pale; the Countess clasped her hands and began to tremble.
"It is about the estates. Susannah always said Mr. Langham mismanaged everything——"
"Come into the library, Marius. We shall be back in half an hour."