"After all I am only two hours before my time; you know,
dearest, I said four in my letter--did I not?"
Vane stammered. What could he say?
"And you have had three days to prepare you, for I wrote, like a good
wife, to ask leave before starting; but he never so much as answered my
letter, madam." (This she addressed to Mrs. Woffington, who smiled by
main force.)
"Why," stammered Vane, "could you doubt? I--I--"
"No! Silence was consent, was it not? But I beg your pardon, ladies and
gentlemen, I hope you will forgive me. It is six months since I saw
him--so you understand--I warrant me you did not look for me so soon,
ladies?"
"Some of us did not look for you at all, madam," said Mrs. Woffington.
"What, Ernest did not tell you he expected me?"
"No! He told us this banquet was in honor of a lady's first visit to his
house, but none of us imagined that lady to be his wife."
Vane began to writhe under that terrible tongue, whose point hitherto had
ever been turned away from him.
"He intended to steal a march on us," said Pomander, dryly; "and, with
your help, we steal one on him;" and he smiled maliciously on Mrs.
Woffington.
"But, madam," said Mr. Quin, "the moment you did arrive, I kept sacred
for you a bit of the fat; for which, I am sure, you must be ready. Pass
her plate!"
"Not at present, Mr. Quin," said Mr.
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