"I don't, and I don't want to," answered the Admiral, mopping his brow.
The Lady drew herself up to her full height. "I am Caroline Thring!"
"Caroline—!" ejaculated the Admiral, who had caught sight of Marjolaine and Jack. But the situation was too much for him, and he sank speechless on the seat under the elm.
"Caroline! Oh, my stars!" cried Jack.
Fortunately the Honourable Caroline Thring turned away from the Gazebo and examined the houses, where all the women were standing on guard, prepared to defend the doors with their lives. Marjolaine had time to gather her wits. She saw the Eyesore's smock and hat lying where Jack had thrown them. "Put those on! Quick!" she cried.
"Where is the girl with the curls?" asked Caroline, turning fiercely on Sir Peter.
"I—I—I—don't know," he stammered.
"In the summer-house, no doubt," said she, beginning to advance towards it.
"She 's coming!" whispered Jack, who was not nearly ready. Then, to Doctor Sternroyd, who was standing first on one leg and then on the other and alternately opening and shutting his umbrella in his helpless bewilderment, "Doctor! Lie! Lie, as you never lied before in your life!"
But Sir Peter had jumped up, and was barring Caroline's way. "You mustn't go there!—You can't go there!—You shan't go there!"