Miss Marrable and I discussed Falkland privately
on the window-seat while the rest were talking. She is a delightful
girl--so impulsive, so sensible, so entirely unaffected. She confided
in me. She said: 'One of our miseries is that we can't find a gentleman
who will grapple with the hideous difficulties of Falkland.' Of course
I soothed her. Of course I said: 'I've got the gentleman, and he
shall grapple immediately.'--'Oh heavens! who is he?'--'Mr. Francis
Clare.'--'And where is he?'--'In the house at this moment.'--'Will you
be so very charming, Miss Vanstone, as to fetch him?'--'I'll fetch him,
Miss Marrable, with the greatest pleasure.' I left the window-seat--I
rushed into the morning-room--I smelled cigars--I followed the
smell--and here I am."
"It's a compliment, I know, to be asked to act," said Frank, in great
embarrassment. "But I hope you and Miss Marrable will excuse me--"
"Certainly not. Miss Marrable and I are both remarkable for the firmness
of our characters. When we say Mr. So-and-So is positively to act the
part of Falkland, we positively mean it. Come in and be introduced."
"But I never tried to act. I don't know how."
"Not of the slightest consequence.
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