he said.
"As his old friend, I am sorry for him and ashamed of him. As his old
friend, I promise you that he shall not break out to-morrow in the
same disgraceful manner in which he has broken out to-day."

Laura had taken my arm while he was speaking and she pressed it
significantly when he had done. It would have been a hard trial to any
woman to stand by and see the office of apologist for her husband's
misconduct quietly assumed by his male friend in her own house--and it
was a trial to HER. I thanked the Count civilly, and let her out.
Yes! I thanked him: for I felt already, with a sense of inexpressible
helplessness and humiliation, that it was either his interest or his
caprice to make sure of my continuing to reside at Blackwater Park, and
I knew after Sir Percival's conduct to me, that without the support of
the Count's influence, I could not hope to remain there. His
influence, the influence of all others that I dreaded most, was
actually the one tie which now held me to Laura in the hour of her
utmost need!

We heard the wheels of the dog-cart crashing on the gravel of the drive
as we came into the hall. Sir Percival had started on his journey.

"Where is he going to, Marian?" Laura whispered. "Every fresh thing he
does seems to terrify me about the future. Have you any suspicions?"

After what she had undergone that morning, I was unwilling to tell her
my suspicions.

"How should I know his secrets?" I said evasively.

"I wonder if the housekeeper knows?" she persisted.

"Certainly not," I replied. "She must be quite as ignorant as we are."

Laura shook her head doubtfully.

"Did you not hear from the housekeeper that there was a report of Anne
Catherick having been seen in this neighbourhood? Don't you think he
may have gone away to look for her?"

"I would rather compose myself, Laura, by not thinking about it at all,
and after what has happened, you had better follow my example. Come
into my room, and rest and quiet yourself a little."

We sat down together close to the window, and let the fragrant summer
air breathe over our faces.

"I am ashamed to look at you, Marian," she said, "after what you
submitted to downstairs, for my sake. Oh, my own love, I am almost
heartbroken when I think of it! But I will try to make it up to you--I
will indeed!"

"Hush! hush!" I replied; "don't talk so. What is the trifling
mortification of my pride compared to the dreadful sacrifice of your
h