"She and Sandys are to be married in July," added the other.
"She is prodigious pretty," said my lord languidly, "and I never saw a countenance express more happiness."
Lord Cochrane smiled.
"She is quite enamoured of Sandys."
"Sandys! Good Gad!" yawned the other.
Rose Lyndwood gazed again at the lady opposite; rosy and smiling she was in her green gown with her swansdown cloak revealing the pearls on her white neck.
"Sandys is to be envied," he said, "in that he can make her look so happy."
George Cochrane, signalled by a group entering below, took his leave; his companion followed, and the Earl remained alone in the box.
Through the murmuring noises of the audience settling to their places sounded the light joyous laugh of Miss Lescelles, and as Rose Lyndwood glanced in her direction his eyes saddened.