COLONEL.
A heart of gold, sir.
GERALD.
And a pocket too. Nobody knows that better than I do. Since my parents’ death, she has been father and mother, as well as aunt, to me. But there was always something about aunt that made one keep one’s distance.
COLONEL [in a milder voice than he has yet used].
And there is still, Gerald.
GERALD.
Then I’m glad I’ve kept mine.
COLONEL.
You acted very wisely; I happen to know she wished her arrival kept secret and to descend upon you like a dea ex machinâ. Caroline always had a sense of dramatic effect. But how the deuce did you know of her return?