‘A romance in real life! I presume that Mr Boyd had never seen the twin-sister before?’
‘Never, so far as I am aware.’
‘She was certainly a very strange person, Sir Frederick, and I am not sorry that she is gone. I trust there is no likelihood of her coming back?’
‘I don’t think you have much to fear on that score,’ responded the Baronet drily.
Master Tommy shut up his book with a bang. ‘And now Sir Tristram and the Princess are married, and are going to live happy ever after. The brave knight and the forlorn Princess always do get married; don’t they, aunty?’
‘Not always, dear. Sometimes the spells of the wicked wizard are too strong for them.’
‘Oh, I say! that is a shame.—What a pretty butterfly!’ His perch on the swing was vacated next moment, and, cap in hand, he was off in pursuit.
‘A boy all over,’ murmured Lady Dimsdale. ‘Something to chase, something to crush!’
‘Laura, whatever are you about?’ said Mrs Bowood with a little elevation of her ordinary tones. ‘You might favour us with your company during the short time longer you have to stay.’
‘I’ve got the shadiest seat in the garden,’ was the answer that came back from behind the evergreens; ‘and just now I’m engaged on an intricate detail of millinery, and must on no account be disturbed.’