MRS. L. Well, as I have unluckily arrived too late to witness the ceremony--I'd have given anything to have seen you--ha, ha! (_laughing immoderately_) You don't mind my laughing, do you?
WOOD. Not at all; it's rather pleasant than otherwise!
MRS. L. All I can do is to give the bride and bridegroom my blessing, and go back by the next train to London!
WOOD. And to Larkings! By-the-bye, how is your Christopher? I hope your Christopher is still the same fond, indulgent Christopher you've always found your Christopher.
MRS. L. (_enthusiastically_) He's a darling! we are happy as the day is long! and no wonder--we married for love; our tastes, our opinions are the same, and what is still more important, we are nearly the same age--Christopher is twenty-four; I am twenty-two! now between you and Caroline the gap is much wider.
MRS. L. The gap! _she_ is under twenty, while you are--how old shall we say? (_smiling_)
MRS. L. Oh, that's the age you've decided on, eh? well, if you wish it, we'll say thirty-nine! (_smiling again_) I'd better tell Christopher in case he might let the cat out of the bag! (_smiling_)
WOOD. (_aside_) Pleasant creature! very! (_aloud_) Yes, Mrs. Larkings--and _at_ thirty-nine I think it time for a man to marry.
WOOD. I _am_, married! at least, such is my impression.
MRS. L. Yes, yes! but I don't mean _this_ thirty-nine! your other thirty-nine! your _first_ thirty-nine! (_smiling_)
WOOD. (_aside_) Her sex protects her. (_aloud_) I repeat that having reached the age of thirty-nine, and having moreover, sufficiently enjoyed what is called "life"----
MRS. L. You determined to marry and settle down quietly, and all that sort of thing--exactly! that's intelligible enough, as far as you are concerned; but--your wife?
MRS. L. She _hasn't_ enjoyed what is called "life."
MRS. L. You intend that she _shall!_ of course! indeed, Mrs. Colonel Carver writes me word that she has arranged a delightful wedding trip for you.
WOOD. Has she? (_aside_) That's kind of Carver! very!
MRS. L. Yes! Brussels, Switzerland, Italy, &c., &c., &c.; she hasn't quite settled which.
WOOD. Hasn't she? to tell you the truth no more have I. (_aside_) I shall seize the earliest opportunity of giving Carver notice to quit.