Meanwhile, au revoir." She offered her hand to the young Frenchman.

He seized it eagerly.
"Monsieur allows the privilege to an old and faithful servitor ?" he said to the young Englishman, who stood jealously looking on, and then, not waiting for an answer, he bent low and pressed his lips upon it.
Did that hand tremble in his own?
Was there an upward movement as if to press it against his lips?
He could not tell.

He did not dare to speculate.

The Countess closed her eyes and when she opened them again he was gone..