CHAPTER VI

A NEW MEMBER FOR THE ORDER Count Marioni sat in his old attitude, brooding over the fire from the depths of his arm-chair, with a sad, vacant look in his dull eyes. At first he took no notice of the opening of the door, but as the light, smooth footsteps crossed the floor towards him and hesitated at his side, he glanced wearily up. In a moment his whole expression was changed. He was like a numbed and torpid figure suddenly galvanised into acute life. He passed his hand swiftly across his eyes, and his thin fin…