The room was very pleasantly full of candle-light; it sparkled in the folds of Miss Chressham's red silk gown as she moved close to the Countess's chair; through the still open window terrace, trees and sky showed luminous and purple.
"I have heard the names of several ladies," remarked the Countess, "mentioned by Rose and other people, but not one he could or would marry."
"Why, when he meets her he will not speak of it," smiled Susannah.
Lady Lyndwood sighed.
"Well, I wish he would come. Marius will want to see him about his fortune."
"Is it in Rose's hands?" asked Miss Chressham, a faint look of surprise on her fair face.
"Ah—yes," the Countess spoke vaguely, "all the money went to Rose; but Marius has something when he comes of age, which was last October. I am sorry he should have been abroad, and now, I suppose, he will want to leave us again."
"I suppose so," assented Susannah absently.
"Nothing else is to be expected," returned Lady Lyndwood. "Rose cannot ask Marius to look after the estate, and really it is very dull here. I think we must all go to town this season."
Susannah was silent.