"To our old haunts, abroad. We must see some of our old friends. We
shall spend six months away."
"Then what becomes of _my_ months?"
"Your months?"
"Those it's all arranged she's to spend at Blankley." Blankley was Mrs.
Tregent's house in Derbyshire, and she laughed as she went on: "Those
that I spoke of last evening. Don't look as if we had never discussed it
and settled it!"
"What shall I do without her?" Maurice Glanvil presently demanded.
"What will you do _with_ her?" his hostess replied, with a world of
triumphant meaning. He was not prepared to say, in the sense of her
question, and he took refuge in remarking that he noted her avoidance of
any suggestion that he too would be welcome in Derbyshire; which led her
to continue, with unshrinking frankness: "Certainly, I don't want you a
bit. Leave us alone."
"Is it safe?"
"Of course I can't absolutely answer for anything, but at least it will
be safer than with _you_," said Mrs. Tregent.