He laughed and released her hand, and then he moved back again and looked at her in his characteristically keen way.
"I have not asked you how you are yourself?" he said.
"It is such an unnecessary question," retorted Caroline, "when you see that I am in robust health."
"Are you? I thought you were looking anything but robust as you came downstairs."
"Now please," said Caroline, "don't begin to go through the usual catechism!"
"I won't," he answered, "except I want to know—have you got the maid you were going to have?"
"All the servants in this house wait upon me and the nursery," said Caroline. "I have only to command and I have what I want. Will that satisfy you?" But he still paused.
"If I could only get her abroad," he said, with a thrill of eagerness in his voice, "I should keep her there, and then send for you and the children. A month or two in Switzerland, and then through Italy by easy stages. Doesn't it sound delightful? Well! Good-bye once more, and I think I shall take your advice." He laughed almost cheerily. "If I could only manage to elope with Camilla without her knowledge or consent, how she would enjoy it."
Caroline clapped her hands.
"At last," she said, "you are beginning to see your road."