"This has almost broken my heart," he said, "for your sake." She turned away sharply, rested her elbows on the mantelpiece and her head in her hands.
The Earl crossed over to her. "There are two of us," he spoke hoarsely, "two of the house of Lyndwood."
"You are heir to a ruined name and fortune," she answered in a muffled voice; "you have no cause to feel kindly to us, the dead or the living, Marius."
My lord laid his hand lightly on her arm.
"Have I your friendship, Susannah?"
She raised her face.
"That, always."
"Do you forgive me that I am the Earl, Susannah?"
Susannah answered unsteadily.
"You—do you forgive Rose?"