The pool of St Branok

Grace said quickly: "Well, as you say, Morwenna, we must all have a double somewhere."

My mother received a letter from Lady Mandeville saying that she and Sir Horace would be delighted if she, my father and Miss Angelet Hanson would pay them a visit. She thought that if they could possibly stay for two weeks that would give them all a chance to know each other which, in the circumstances, would be desirable.

My mother replied that we were all delighted to accept Lady Mandeville's kind invitation to Mandeville Court.

I confessed to Gervaise that I suffered a few nervous qualms at the prospect. They were bound to be hypercritical of their prospective daughter-in-law. It was customary in these cases.

"Oh, but they could not fail to be enchanted," he assured me. "They will say, 'How on earth did our son manage to secure such a prize?'"

"I do not think that is the usual way in which parents regard newcomers to the family."

"Ordinary rules do not apply to us, surely?"

"Why not?"

"Because no other parent has ever been presented with such a vision of delight."

"You are absurd."

"Generally, maybe. But on this occasion I am completely sound and one hundred per cent logical."

"It is comforting to know that you see me in such a light. I fancy your parents will have a clearer and more penetrating vision."

"Seriously, Angelet, there is nothing to worry about. They haven't all that much of a high opinion of me. I am not the apple of the parental eyes, nor the hope of the family. They don't expect me to marry royalty. All they want is for me to 'settle down.' "

"You're a great comfort to me, Gervaise."

"It's what I intend to be ... in one of your favorite phrases, until death do us part."

We were to leave for Derbyshire at the end of the week, and the days were spent in preparation for the visit. My mother, Grace and I had discussions as to what clothes we would need. "Something for the country," said Grace, which I had not brought with me. We went to Jay's in Regent Street; and for the rest I had my evening clothes and riding habit.

"You fuss too much," said Gervaise. "We shall not be entertaining royalty while you are there."

It was the day before we were to leave. I was doing some last minute packing when Morwenna came into the room we shared.

She said: "Grace has just come. We're going for a walk in the Park. I thought you had finished your packing."

"I have really."

"Why don't you come with us?"

"I'd like to."

"Come on. Get your cloak. I shall miss you very much, Angelet, when you go."

"It's only for two weeks."

"It is wonderful ... you and Gervaise. You are so happy together and he is delightful. What I like about him is that although he is so amusing and sometimes cynical ... he is so kind."

"Yes," I said. "That is what I like about him."

"You are so lucky," she said wistfully.

"I know. I wish ..." I did not finish but she knew I was about to say that I wished she could find someone like Gervaise. It was what she needed. Poor Morwenna. She had so convinced herself that no one could care for her, that she became awkward and self-effacing in company. She would have loved to make a grand marriage ... not so much for herself, but to please her parents.

"Come on," she said. "We're keeping Grace waiting."

We went down together.

"Angelet has decided to come with us," said Morwenna.

"Oh, I thought you would have too much to do," said Grace.

"It's practically done. I'm all ready for the fray, and I thought I'd like a walk in the Park."

We were talking about the trip to Derbyshire and the coming parties which Morwenna would be attending without me—a prospect she did not relish—when a small boy, barefooted, ragged and unkempt, dashed up and almost knocked Morwenna over. She gave a little cry and put a hand to her side.

"My purse!" she cried. "He's taken it from the pocket of my cloak."

We were too stunned to do anything. For a few seconds we stood staring after the boy who was running with Morwenna's purse in his hands.

And then ... a man appeared. He emerged suddenly from a clump of bushes near the path. He was about two yards ahead of the boy. The boy swerved, but he was too late and not sufficiently agile. The man had him in his grip.

He shook him and took the purse from him. Then he suddenly released the boy and gave him a push. The boy scampered off and the man, holding Morwenna's purse, came walking towards us.

He took off his hat and bowed. "I saw what happened. I'm afraid I let him go. Poor creature, he looked half starved."

He handed the purse to Morwenna. "Yours, I believe."

"Oh, thank you," she said.

There was something familiar about the man. I had seen him before but for the moment could not think where. Then suddenly it came to me. He was the man who had approached us some little time ago because he thought Grace was someone else.

"Why, I do believe ..." he said, smiling at Grace. "Yes, of course, you are the lady who bears such a strong resemblance to a lady of my acquaintance."