A secretary would have no conception of such devoted extravagance.

At the most he might have attempted to insinuate a few absurd, sheepish soft nothings, and the Countess of Ormont would know right well how to shrivel him with one of her looks.

No lady of the land could convey so much either way, to attract or to repel, as Aminta, Countess of Ormont! And the man, the only man, insensible to her charm or her scorn, was her own wedded lord and husband.

Old, to be sure, and haughty, his pride might not allow him to overlook poor Mr.Morsfield's unintentional offence.

But the presence of the countess's aunt was a reply to any charge he might seek to establish.