[Regarding his retreating figure.] A nice-appearing old man, Richard! [She comes quite close to him; then, softly.] I’m glad he’s not being married to-morrow!
Richard.
[Starting.] What do you mean?
Lydia.
[Practically.] Well, I prefer their being horrid—like that man and that dreadful woman in the house! [Reminiscently.] I couldn’t help being sorry for the gentle lady that was here,—oh, you know, quite a while ago!
Richard.
You mean the one they called “Virginia”? That was visiting Bird’s Nest before he brought her here to live?
Lydia.
Yes, Virginia! But he didn’t really love her! We couldn’t have had them about! What a cold she took that night! [Placidly.] I guess it settled on her lungs right away! [With a little smile.] They weren’t here when we came back.
Richard.