_Lady Cantire._ Very possibly, my dear. I have always refrained from giving him the slightest encouragement, and I wouldn't put any pressure upon dear Maisie for the world--still, I have my feelings as a mother, and I can't deny that, with such prospects as he has now, it _is_ gratifying for me to think that they may be coming to an understanding together at this very moment. She is showing him the grounds; which I always think are the great charm of Wyvern, so _secluded_! _Lady Culverin_ (_puzzled_). Together! At this very moment! But--but surely Gerald has _gone_? _Lady Cantire._ Gone! What nonsense, Albinia! Where in the world should he have gone to? _Lady Culverin._ He _was_ leaving by the 10.40, I know. For Aldershot. I ordered the cart for him, and he said good-bye after breakfast. He seemed so dreadfully down, poor fellow, and I quite concluded from what he said that Maisie must have---- _Lady Cantire._ Impossible, my dear, quite impossible! I tell you he is _here_. Why, only a few minutes ago, Mrs. Chatteris was telling me---- Ah, here she is to speak for herself. (_To_ Mrs. Chatteris, _who appears, arrayed for divine service_.) Mrs. Chatteris, did I, or did I _not_, understand you to say just now that my daughter Maisie----? _Mrs. Chatteris_ (_alarmed_). But, _dear_ Lady Cantire, I had no idea you would disapprove. Indeed you seemed---- And really, though she certainly seems to find him rather well--_sympathetic_--I'm sure--_almost_ sure--there can be nothing serious--at present. _Lady Cantire._ Thank you, my dear, I merely wished for an answer to my question. And you see, Albinia, that Gerald Thicknesse can hardly have gone yet, since he is walking about the grounds with Maisie. _Mrs. Chatteris._ Captain Thicknesse? But he _has_ gone, Lady Cantire! I saw him start. I didn't mean _him_. _Lady Cantire._ Indeed? then I shall be obliged if you will say who it is you _did_ mean. _Mrs. Chatteris._ Why, only her old friend and admirer--that little poet man, Mr. Blair. _Lady Cantire_ (_to herself_). And I actually _sent_ him to her! (_Rising in majestic wrath._) Albinia, whatever comes of this, remember I shall hold _you_ entirely responsible! [_She sweeps out of the room; the other two ladies look after her, and then at one another, in silent consternation._ PART XXII A DESCENT FROM THE CLOUDS _In the Elizabethan Garden._ Lady MAISIE _and_ UNDERSHELL _are on a seat in the Yew Walk_. TIME--_About_ 11 A.M. _Lady Maisie_ (_softly_). And you really meant to go away, and never let one of us know what had happened to you! _Undershell_ (_to himself_). How easy it is after all to be a hero! (_Aloud._) That certainly _was_ my intention, only I was--er--not permitted to carry it out. I trust you don't consider I should have been to blame?