'Leave me to my thoughts.' Francis left her, firmly persuaded by this time that she was out of her senses.

For the rest of the day, he saw nothing of her.

The night, so far as he knew, passed quietly.

The next morning he breakfasted early, determining to wait in the restaurant for the appearance of the Countess.

She came in and ordered her breakfast quietly, looking dull and worn and self-absorbed, as she had looked when he last saw her.