SEPTIMA (distressed). I don’t believe he has.
OLIVER (encouragingly). You must read it. I think you’d like it.
MARION. It’s one of his best known. The Times quoted it only last week. We had the cutting. “Septima, seventh dark daughter——” It was a favourite of my husband’s even before he married me.
ROYCE. It has been a favourite of mine for many years.
MARION. And many other people’s, I’m sure. We often get letters—Oh, if you could see the letters we get!
ROYCE. I wonder you don’t have a secretary.
MARION (with dignity). My husband—Mr. Blayds-Conway—is Grandfather’s secretary. He was appointed to the post soon after he married me. Twenty-five years ago. There is almost nothing he mightn’t have done, but he saw where his duty lay, and he has devoted himself to Grandfather—to Mr. Blayds—ever since.
ROYCE. I am sure we are all grateful to him.
MARION. Grandfather, as you know, has refused a Peerage more than once. But I always say that if devotion to duty counts for anything, William, my husband, ought to have been knighted long ago. Perhaps when Grandfather has passed away—— But there!
ROYCE. I was telling Oliver that I did meet Mr. Blayds once—and Miss Blayds. Down at Bournemouth. [193]She was looking after him. He wasn’t very well at the time.