Doesn't she, Ramsden?
RAMSDEN.
I should think it very likely indeed.
ANN.
You don't object, do you, mother?
MRS WHITEFIELD.
I object!
Why should I?
I think it will do you good, Ann. [Trotting over to Tanner] I meant to ask you to take Rhoda out for a run occasionally: she is too much in the house; but it will do when you come back.
TANNER.
Abyss beneath abyss of perfidy!
ANN. [hastily, to distract attention from this outburst] Oh, I forgot: you have not met Mr Malone.
Mr Tanner, my guardian: Mr Hector Malone.
HECTOR.
Pleased to meet you, Mr Tanner.
I should like to suggest an extension of the travelling party to Nice, if I may.
ANN.
Oh, we're all coming.
That's understood, isn't it?
HECTOR.
I also am the modest possessor of a motor car.
If Miss Robinson will allow me the privilege of taking her, my car is at her service.
OCTAVIUS.
Violet!
General constraint.
ANN. [subduedly] Come, mother: we must leave them to talk over the arrangements.
I must see to my travelling kit.
Mrs Whitefield looks bewildered; but Ann draws her discreetly away; and they disappear round the corner towards the house.
HECTOR.
I think I may go so far as to say that I can depend on Miss Robinson's consent.
Continued embarrassment.
OCTAVIUS.
I'm afraid we must leave Violet behind, There are circumstances which make it impossible for her to come on such an expedition.
HECTOR. [amused and not at all convinced] Too American, eh?
Must the young lady have a chaperone?
OCTAVIUS.
It's not that, Malone—at least not altogether.
HECTOR.
Indeed!
May I ask what other objection applies?
TANNER. [impatiently] Oh, tell him, tell him.
We shall never be able to keep the secret unless everybody knows what it is.
Mr Malone: if you go to Nice with Violet, you go with another man's wife.
She is married.
HECTOR. [thunderstruck] You don't tell me so!
TANNER.
We do.
In confidence.
RAMSDEN. [with an air of importance, lest Malone should suspect a misalliance] Her marriage has not yet been made known: she desires that it shall not be mentioned for the present.
HECTOR.