‘I do know a Mr. Mark Gardner.’
‘That is his name. He is staying in the neighbourhood of Gothlands, and seems very deep in their counsels. I am afraid he is leading them farther than Theresa Marstone herself would have gone.’
‘Oh, then, he cannot be the same person. I meant a very different style of man, a cousin to those Miss Gardners who used to be friends of Theodora.’
‘Ah! I meant to ask you about Miss Gardner and Percival Fotheringham. What! you have not heard?’
‘No, nothing. What do you mean?’
‘Married.’
‘Married! No, never!’
‘I thought you would have known, all about it, and I was anxious to hear what kind of connection it was for Percival.’
‘Do tell me, how did you hear of it? When was it?’
‘Not long ago, in Italy. I heard of it the other day from my nephew, Edward Howard, who is just returned, and he told me that Mrs. Finch was leading a dashing life at Florence, and that her sister had just married Mr. Fotheringham, “the author.”’