‘I told you he had affairs that detained him abroad.’
‘But why not have given his affairs a local habitation and a name?’
‘My husband did not wish me to talk about him.’
‘Well, you are altogether the oddest couple. However, I am very glad things are going to be different. Would it be too much to ask if Mr. Treverton will remain at the Manor House, or if he is going to reappear only in his usual meteoric fashion?’
‘I hope he will stay at Hazlehurst all his life.’
‘Poor fellow!’ sighed Celia. ‘If he does I’m sure I shall pity him.’
‘You need not be so absurdly literal. Of course we shall go far afield sometimes and see the world, and all that is interesting and beautiful in it.’
‘How glibly you talk about what “we” are going to do. A week ago you could not be induced to mention your husband’s name. And how happy you look; I never saw such a change.’
‘It is all because I am going to see him again. I hope you do not begrudge me my happiness?’
‘No, but I rather envy you. I only wish some benevolent old party would leave me a splendid estate on condition I married a handsome young man. You would see how willingly I would obey him. There should be no mystery about my conduct, I assure you. I should not make an iron mask of myself.’