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  I am. pained,' murmured the Count, gently, but I could see the pupils of his reddish-brown eyes dilate. One could not conceive of the man in a rage; yet he looked quietly dangerous. 'Is it that the Countess fears my anger—my reproaches?' His grizzled eyebrows were lifted in concern.

"Stewart gave a laugh of such coarse brutality that one longed to kick him.

No,' he said, contemptuously, 'hardly! I fancy she's taken a bit of a liking to me.' There was no braggadocio mixed with his brutality, Doctor; in fact, he colored as he said this and seemed embarrassed. I believe that he was telling the truth.

" 'In that case,' replied the Count, thoughtfully, and his face resumed its former expression of indulgence, 'why do you not return with her?' He leaned back in his chair, brought the tips of his fingers together, rested his chin on the indices and looked cordially at Stewart, who was staring at him in angry bewilderment. 'You have been acting under [ 190 ]