But on his entrance the spaniels had sprung to their feet and rushed towards him, forgetting their newfound friend.
For a moment he thought that she looked at him reproachfully as though he would take even the comfort of a dumb animal away from her.
“I am glad you like Romulus and Remus,” he said, “I purchased them as puppies after I had been to Rome.”
He had known that as a classical scholar she would have read the story of the two orphan children who were suckled by a she-wolf and grew up to found the City of Rome.
“I think the names are singularly appropriate for your dogs, my Lord,” Sylvina said demurely.
There was a twinkle in the Marquis’s eyes.
“Sylvina, you little wretch!” he exclaimed. “How dare you imply that I am a female wolf!”
Just for a moment two dimples appeared in h
