Not always. I ought to have paid this visit earlier. I made a mistake, Gerald, and I have come to acknowledge it. COLONEL [_laying his hand on LADY WARGRAVE'S shoulder in an access of enthusiasm_]. Caroline, you're a trump! LADY WARGRAVE. Theodore! COLONEL. No other word for it! I always said you'd come round! LADY WARGRAVE. Never! COLONEL. Always! LADY WARGRAVE. Theodore, you _never_ said so! COLONEL. To myself. [_Turns off._ GERALD. Better late than never, aunt. And thank you for the card for your At Home. [_Talks to LADY WARGRAVE._ MARGERY. Oh, uncle, you're a shocking old story, aren't you? COLONEL. What have I been saying now? MARGERY. You said it was _your_ doing! COLONEL. So it was! MARGERY. Aunt vows you'd nothing to do with it at all! COLONEL [_taking MARGERY aside_]. Caroline's a heart of gold; but your aunt must be managing! So I let her manage, and I manage _her._ MARGERY. You? [_Smiling._ COLONEL. But I do it quietly. I influence her, without her knowing it. Sheer force of character. Chut! not a word! [_Backing away from her, signalling silence; backs into LADY WARGRAVE._] Ten thousand pardons! [_Bows profusely._ LADY WARGRAVE. Really, Theodore! [_MARGERY goes up, stifling her laughter; he shakes his handkerchief at her._ _Re-enter WELLS, L._ WELLS. Mrs. Sylvester! _Enter MRS. SYLVESTER; she hesitates, on seeing LADY WARGRAVE. Exit WELLS, L._ GERALD. Pray come in, Mrs. Sylvester. You know my aunt. MRS. SYLVESTER. I think we've met before. LADY WARGRAVE. Yes, at my nephew's chambers. I remember perfectly. You were engaged upon some work or other. GERALD. It's not finished yet. I am so interrupted! [_Glancing at MARGERY who has crept down behind COLONEL._ MARGERY [_whispering in COLONEL'S ear_]. Who kissed Miss Bethune? [_COLONEL starts guiltily; MARGERY roars._ GERALD [_angrily_]. Margery! [_MARGERY runs out, L._ LADY WARGRAVE. Not finished yet! MRS. SYLVESTER. But we have made great progress. LADY WARGRAVE. And are you satisfied with what you have done? GERALD. It is certainly interesting. LADY WARGRAVE. It is not enough for me that a work of my nephew's should be interesting! Tell me, as far as you have gone, do you think it is worthy of a Cazenove? GERALD. It is the work of my life. MRS. SYLVESTER. And of mine! LADY WARGRAVE. As far as you have gone. But what is to be the end of it? GERALD. Ah, we've not got there yet. LADY WARGRAVE. Would you admit a third collaborateur? MRS. SYLVESTER [_alarmed_]. Who? LADY WARGRAVE. An _old_ woman. GERALD. Lady Wargrave's joking! LADY WARGRAVE. Oh, I could put an end to it, I think! MRS. SYLVESTER. We don't know what the end will be ourselves. LADY WARGRAVE. There I have the advantage. If I can help in any way, my experience is always at your service. Meanwhile, I fear I am another interruption. Theodore, your arm! GERALD [_follows them to door, L._]. Thank you so much for coming.