CHAPTER THREEAs Romana collapsed on the floor both the Marquis and Mr. Barnham started to their feet and Mr. Barnham then knelt down beside her saying,
“She has fainted, I cannot think why the coffee has taken so long in coming.”
As he spoke, he looked up at the Marquis and was startled by the expression on his face. Then he looked back again at Romana and understood.
She was lying in an untidy heap with her face turned sideways so that the huge purple mark on her cheek was very prominent. Her old-fashioned bonnet had been battered and her dress, crumpled and travel stained, made her look as the Marquis had thought she might be, a servant girl.
Mr. Barnham then heard the Marquis murmur,
“I will go and find the coffee.”
He went from the room and Mr. Barnham put his arms around Romana.
