"I do not know—on that score, Miss Marbury has not taken me into her confidence."
The Governor regarded him questioningly.
"Why do you not marry the girl yourself?" he demanded, abruptly. "Give Rose Hill a mistress—it needs one."
"I will not gainsay that it needs one," said Maynadier, with an amused smile.
"Neither will you gainsay that Judith Marbury would fill the place, admirably. There is style and breeding about that girl, Maynadier. I like her much, damned much! Why should she marry an Englishman? Sir Edward is all right, I suppose—but he has only his manners and Baltimore's letters to vouch for him. And not much credit in the letters, God knows!"
Maynadier was puzzled. Could it be the Governor was not aware that Parkington was not Parkington?—was he not in the secret?—was he being imposed on, also?
"Sometimes, I have thought," he ventured, "that Parkington is not quite what he seemed—that he is playing a part."
"Playing a part!" Colonel Sharpe ejaculated. "I do not understand."
Maynadier looked at him, a moment, in silence.