He sank into the chair beside the desk again. He was trembling from head to foot, clutching and unclutching his hands in the fine lace at his cuffs.
The Earl looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"Have you done?" he demanded.
"What is the use of speech?" cried Marius bitterly.
Rose Lyndwood faintly smiled.
"Railing easeth rage," he said. "Hear me a little longer, and I have done. There is the entailed property in Genoa; I will make that over to you——"
"Nay," interrupted Marius hotly, "that is poor charity, my lord. I will not be exiled in a dead city."
The Earl slightly flushed.
"I could get you a captaincy in the Guards."
"To starve on my pay!"