He knows how to handle women by this time." A woman, thought Truxton.

The Countess! They had brought her here from Balak, after all.

What a remorseless brute Marlanx must be to maltreat his beautiful wife as--Truxton did not complete the angry reflection.
Words from the other side of the door checked the train of thought.
"To my mind, she is more beautiful than his own wife," observed Anna Cromer.

"She will be a fine morsel for the Count, who has even cast longing eyes on so homely a mortal as I." "All women are alike to him," said Spantz sententiously.

"I hope she is not to be left here for long.