CHAPTER SIXThe Marquis’s room was in darkness and Carola stood as if staring into a void.
Her whole body was shaking.
Before she could think of what she should do a door opened on the other side of the room and the Marquis came in.
He was carrying in his hand a candelabrum with four lighted candles.
He set it down on a bedside table and as he did so Carola ran towards him.
She flung herself against him.
As his arms went round her she said in a whisper that was almost incoherent,
“The – the – D-Duke has – come to my – r-room and – I am – f-frightened!”
The Marquis could feel her trembling against him and for a moment he just held her.
Then he said in a low voice,
“I will deal with this,” as he sat her down on the bed.
Then he walked across the room until he reached the communicat
