"So you noticed that, you observant imp? I say, Aunt Laura, when did this young person of yours become such a prodigy? Perhaps she will tell me what the--the lady under discussion does look like, eh?"--lighting a cigarette,--for free and easy manners prevailed in the Butt mansion, and every one did as they chose there. "Just like any other girl," responded Gwen, readily. "And--and I don't think she ought, either." "Oh, just like any other girl. And, pray, why don't you think she ought?" "Because she's not; she's a married woman. She was married ever so long ago, when I was little." "Of course you're awfully big now. And so Mrs. Stubbs--Heavens, what a name!--even though she has lost her husband, is to go on for ever being 'a married woman' in your eyes, is she?" But here Gwen's mother interposed, having had enough, and burning for more confidential intercourse. "Of course Gwenny is right, George. But--but you don't quite understand, darling," to her. "And Cousin George is only teasing. Suppose you run away to Miss Whitmore now, and see what she has been about all this time? She will wonder what has become of you." "Oh, she won't, she's writing letters. She always writes letters when you send for me, and she had----" "Tell her, love, that the post goes out at----" "She knows when the post goes out. She knows better than any one else in the house, for she has told me lots of times." "Go, now, Gwenny. Go, my dear, when I tell you." "You'll have a handful to deal with when that young lady comes out," observed George, bringing his eyes back from the door as it slowly closed upon the reluctant figure. "Gwen's too clever by half for you, Aunt Laura; and, I say, we must both keep our eyes skinned if we are to carry through this affair. She's half suspicious as it is." "It was your own fault, George. How could you be so foolish as to blurt out what you did before her?" "Good Lord, I never gave her a thought. However, I'll be more careful in future. Well, now, now she's gone, what do you say? How did it go off? How did I do? Do you think--eh?" "I did not exaggerate, did I, George?" "Exaggerate? You did not come up to the mark. She's a ripper. And I suppose the tin's all right? There's no mistake about _that_? Because--well, I needn't tell you how things are with me." "I know--of course. And of course I'd never have asked you to come and meet Leonore Stubbs unless I knew she had been left well off." "'Well off,' only? I thought you said----" "Very well off, then. All the neighbourhood rang with the Bolderos' big marriage, and it was big in no other sense. The poor little thing was barely grown up and had been nowhere and seen nobody,--and when the husband died she was received back at the Abbey with open arms." "It's a wonder she hasn't been snapped up before." "The Bolderos have taken care of that. They have immured her like a nun. This is positively the first call she has made here." "She's awfully pretty." He sighed contentedly.