“I am afraid, Countess, you are not quite so well as usual?” I said.

“The very remark I was about to make to

you

,” she replied. “You are looking pale, my dear.”

My dear! It was the first time she had ever addressed me with that familiarity! There was an insolent smile too on her face when she said the words.

“I am suffering from one of my bad headaches,” I answered coldly.