"Yes," she said.

And then she devoted herself to a vain endeavour to remove the traces of her tears before her mother should be close to them.
Fitzgerald at once saw that such endeavour must be vain.

At one time he had thought of turning away, and pretending that they had not seen the countess.

But he knew that Clara would not be able to carry out any such pretence; and he reflected also that it might be just as well that Lady Desmond should know the whole at once.

That she would know it, and know it soon, he was quite sure.