“Perhaps you have kindly preference for some one within this stronghold?”
“You forget, my Lord, that the castle is ruled by a lady, and that the preference you indicate would accord ill with her womanly government.”
“In truth I know little of woman’s rule, but given such, I suppose the case would stand as you say. The Countess then frowns upon lovers’ meetings.”
“How could it be otherwise?”
“Have you told her of—of yesterday?”
“You mean of your refusal to come to terms with her? Yes, my Lord.”
“I mean nothing of the kind, Beatrix.”
“No one outside this room has been told aught to your disadvantage, my Lord,” said the girl blushing rose-red.
“Then she suspects nothing?”
“Suspects nothing of what, my Lord?”