"I have to tell you, because it was her wish, and out of justice to Marius," she said, "not to blame the dead."
"I might have known," replied my lord, and he half smiled. "I will write to Marius."
"I always believed in him," breathed Susannah, "so did my lady. Do not let us speak of it any more. I must be leaving soon; but first"—she raised her eyes—"Selina?"
The violins were playing a gavotte. My lord's long fingers beat time to the measure on the hilt of his rapier.
"She hath refused me," he answered. "Is it farce or tragedy we play? I know not. She is a creature of gossamer, of sentiment. What has passed makes our marriage as impossible to her as sordid matters would have made it impossible to me."
"However, she believes you care," breathed Susannah, divining suddenly Selina's view.
The Earl bent his head.
"And hath taken farewell of me. Her affection is not of the earth. Better for her that she should never know the quality of mine."
"She is happy?"
"I do think so," said my lord.