After ten years' absence. She has been travelling for her health, which was never too robust; and since Sir Oriel's death, she has been more or less a wanderer.
I knew she had arrived, but I postponed presenting myself till I was summoned. My aunt has the kindest of hearts----
And a pocket too. Nobody knows that better than I do. Since my parents' death, she has been father and mother, as well as aunt, to me. But there was always something about aunt that made one keep one's distance.
COLONEL [_in a milder voice than he has yet used_].
You acted very wisely; I happen to know she wished her arrival kept secret and to descend upon you like a _dea ex machinâ._ Caroline always had a sense of dramatic effect. But how the deuce did you know of her return?
Aunt wrote to summon her to resume her duties.
But Margery's at Mapledurham. Caroline was stopping with some friends in Paris, and Margery was sent on to her father's.
Yes, I was staying there when she arrived. I have been rusticating for the last six weeks. It's so much easier to write in the fresh air.
You have been writing down at Mapledurham?
And you have only finished the first chapter?
It's so difficult to write in the fresh air. One wants to go out and enjoy oneself. And then old Armstrong's such a jolly old boy.
Armstrong, of Mapledurham? The farmer? Oh, I know him well. I go there for the fishing.
Do you know, uncle, she can almost beat me?
So musical! When she sings out, "Lock, ho!"
Oh, my dear fellow, just your sort--_my_ sort--well, hang it, every man's sort! Margery is--oh, how can I explain? If I'd seen a Margery thirty years ago; well, I should never have been a bachelor! Margery is--come, Gerald, what _is_ Margery? Margery is a woman, who---- Well, Margery's a woman! That's all Margery is!
Old Armstrong's daughter. We grew up together. When I was very young, I was considered delicate, and I was sent to the farmhouse at Mapledurham. When I went to Eton, Lady Wargrave took Margery into her service. There she has remained----
[_Knock at door in flat. Re-enter WELLS, followed by MRS. SYLVESTER, with a small portfolio._
MRS. SYLVESTER [_stops short on seeing SYLVESTER._].
This is an unexpected pleasure. [_A cold matrimonial kiss._] Colonel Cazenove--my old Colonel. Mr. Cazenove I think you know.