gravely, over the top of her fan. "Are you very careful?" I said.
She dropped her fan with a certain violence. "Ah, yes, you are impertinent!"
"Ah, no," I said. "Remember that I am old enough to be your father; that I knew you when you were three years old. I may surely ask such questions. But you are right; one must do your mother justice. She was certainly thinking of her second marriage."
"You have not forgiven her that!" said the Countess, very gravely.
"Have you?" I asked, more lightly.
"I don't judge my mother. That is a mortal sin. My stepfather was very kind to me."
"I remember him," I said; "I saw him a great many times—your mother already received him."
My hostess sat with lowered eyes, saying nothing; but she presently looked up.
"She was very unhappy with my father."
"That I can easily believe. And your stepfather—is he still living?"
"He died—before my mother."
"Did he fight any more duels?"
