Part 52 (2/2)

But she couldn't fool me. I could see that there was something working at the back of her mind, but whether she was distressed or gratified I was not by way of knowing.

”I've never heard her mention Lord Amberdale,” said I.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. Had I but known, the mere fact that the Countess had not spoken of his lords.h.i.+p provided her experienced mother with an excellent reason for believing that there was something between them. She abruptly brought the conversation to a close and left me, saying that she was off for her beauty nap.

Alone, I soon became a prey to certain disquieting thoughts. Summed up, they resolved themselves into a condition of certainty which admitted of but one aspect: the charming Countess was in love with Amberdale. And the shocking part of it all was that she was in love with him prior to her separation from Tarnowsy! I felt a cold perspiration start out all over my body as this condition forced itself upon me. _He_ was the man; _he_ had been the man from the beginning. My heart was like lead for the rest of the day, and, very curiously, for a leaden thing it was subject to pain.

Just before dinner, Britton, after inspecting me out of the corner of his eye for some time, advised me to try a little brandy.

”You look seedy, sir,” he said with concern in his voice. ”A cold setting in perhaps, sir.”

I tried the brandy, but not because I thought I was taking a cold.

Somehow it warmed me up. There is virtue in good spirits.

The Countess was abroad very early the next morning. I discovered her in the courtyard, giving directions to Max and Rudolph who were doing some spading in the garden. She looked very bright and fresh and enticing in the light of an early moon, and I was not only pleased but astonished, having been led to believe all my life that a woman, no matter how pretty she may be, appears at her worst when the day is young.

I joined her at once. She gave me a gay, accusing smile.

”What have you been saying to mother?” she demanded, as she shook hands with me. ”I thought you were to be trusted.”

I flushed uncomfortably. ”I'm sorry, Countess. I--I didn't know it was a secret.”

She looked at me somewhat quizzically for a moment. Then she laughed softly. ”It is a secret.”

”I hope I haven't got you into bad odour with your--”

”Oh, dear me, no! I'm not in the least worried over what mother may think. I shall do as I please, so there's the end of it.”

I swallowed something that seemed to be sticking in my throat. ”Then it is true that you are going to marry?”

”Quite,” she said succinctly.

I was silent for a moment. ”Well, I'm--I'm glad to know it in time,”

I said, rather more gruffly than was necessary.

She smiled too merrily, I thought. ”You must not tell any one else about it, however.”

”I can promise that,” I said, a sullen rage in my soul. ”Devils could not drag it out of me. Rest easy.”

It occurred to me afterwards that she laughed rather jerkily, you might say uneasily. At any rate, she turned away and began speaking to Max.

”Have you had your breakfast?” I asked stupidly.

”No.”

”Neither have I. Will you join me?”

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