I took my leave. There was the same insolent smile on the woman’s face when I shook hands with her. Sir Percival paid no attention to me. He was looking impatiently at Madame Fosco, who showed no signs of leaving the room with me. The Count smiled to himself behind his book. There was yet another delay to that quiet talk with Sir Percival⁠—and the Countess was the impediment this time.

June 19th

.⁠—Once safely shut into my own room, I opened these pages, and prepared to go on with that part of the day’s record which was still left to write.