As they rode towards the castle, Flora said,
“I am afraid it has been a very expensive day for you. I have lost count of how much you have promised to give away.”
“The money is of no consequence. What is so appalling is that they should all have suffered almost to the point of despair just through the greed of one crooked man.”
“Everything will be different now,” Flora said, “and I think perhaps when you look back you will find this has also been a turning point in your life.”
“Why should you say that?” the Marquis asked sharply.
“You admit that you had no intention of coming here when you returned from abroad. Yet somehow and for some reason I do not know, you were guided back because you were needed here at this particular moment.”
The Marquis thought it was not a question of guida
