id Rose.

'The estate!'

'The estate, Countess. And what is more, to increase the effect of his
generosity, he has consented to take a recompense.'

'Indeed!' exclaimed the Countess, directing a stony look at her brother.

'May I presume to ask what recompense?'

Rose shook her head. 'Such a very poor one, Countess! He has no idea of
relative value.'

The Countess's great mind was just then running hot on estates, and
thousands, or she would not have played goose to them, you may be sure.
She believed that Evan had been wheedled by Rose into the acceptance of
a small sum of money, in return for his egregious gift.

With an internal groan, the outward aspect of which she had vast
difficulty in masking, she said: 'You are right--he has no head. Easily
cajoled!'

Old Tom sat down in a chair, and laughed outright. Lady Jocelyn, in pity
for the poor lady, who always amused her, thought it time to put an end
to the scene.

'I hope your brother will come to us in about a week,' she said. 'May I
expect the favour of your company as well?'

The Countess felt her dignity to be far superior as she responded:
'Lady Jocelyn, when next I enjoy the gratification of a visit to your
hospitable mansion, I must know that I am not at a disadvantage. I
cannot consent to be twice pulled down to my brother's level.'

Evan's heart was too full of its dim young happiness to speak, or care
for words. The cold elegance of the Countess's curtsey to Lady Jocelyn:
her ladyship's kindly pressure of his hand: Rose's stedfast look into
his eyes: Old Tom's smothered exclamation that he was not such a fool
as he seemed: all passed dream-like, and when he was left to the fury
of the Countess, he did not ask her to spare him, nor did he defend
himself. She bade adieu to him and their mutual relationship that very
day. But her star had not forsaken her yet. Chancing to peep into the
shop, to intrust a commission to Mr. John Raikes, who was there doing
penance for his career as a gentleman, she heard Old Tom and Andrew
laughing, utterly unlike bankrupts.

'Who 'd have thought the women such fools! and the Countess, too!'

This was Andrew's voice. He chuckled as one emancipated. The Countess
had a short interview with him (before she took her departure to join
her husband, under the roof of the Honourable Herbert Duffian), and
Andrew chuckled no more.

CHAPTER XLVII. A YEAR LATER

THE COUNTESS DE SALDAR DE SANCORVO TO HER SISTER CAROL