CHAPTER FIVEMina came into the Marchioness’s sitting room holding something in her hand and reached the centre of the room before she realised that the Marchioness was not alone.
As the Marquis rose to his feet, she said hastily,
“I am so sorry. I did not mean to interrupt, but I wanted your grandmother to see this dove.”
As she moved forward, the Marchioness exclaimed,
“Oh, you have found the one that was lost!”
“The gardeners had done that, ma’am,” Mina answered, “but he has broken his leg.”
“How terrible!” the Marchioness cried. “Can nothing be done for him?”
“I have put a splint on it,” Mina replied, “and I thought that you would like to see it. I am sure it will heal if we keep him shut up for about a week.”
The dove was lying unafraid, cradled in Mina’s arms, as she carried h
