Mr.Magnus had a rather melancholy, deprecating voice, but with some touch of irony too, as though he were used to being called a fool by his fellow-beings, but after all knew better than they did.He did not sound at all conceited; only amused with a little gentle melancholy at his own position.
"I'm glad to see you so well, Miss Cardinal," he said with an air of rather old-fashioned courtesy."I had been afraid that it might have exhausted you.I only came to welcome you.I must return at once.Ihave an article to finish before midnight."Aunt Anne smiled gently: "No, I'm not tired, thank you.And what has happened while I have been away?""I have been away too, as you know," said Mr.Magnus, "but Iunderstand that your sister has been very busy--quite a number--"Aunt Elizabeth said in her trembling voice: "No.No--Anne--I assure you.Nothing at all.As you know, the Bible Committee wanted to discuss the new scheme.Last Tuesday.Mr.Warlock, Mr.Simms, young Holliday, Miss Martin, Mary Hearst.And Sophie Dunn.AND Mr.Turner.
Nothing at all.It was a wet day.Last Tuesday afternoon.""Your mother is quite well, I hope, Mr.Warlock?" said Aunt Anne, turning to the young man."Yes--she's all right," he answered."Just the same.Amy wants you to go and see her.I was to give you the message, if you could manage to-morrow sometime; or she'd come here if it's more convenient.There's something important, she says, but I don't suppose it's important in the least.You know what she is."He spoke, laughing.His eyes wandered all round the room and suddenly settled on Maggie with a startled stare, as though she were the last person whom he had expected to find there.
"Yes.To-morrow afternoon, perhaps--about three, if that would suit her.How is Amy?""Oh, she's all right.As eager to run the world as ever--and she never will run it so long as she shows her cards as obviously as she does.I tell her so.But it's no good.She doesn't listen to me, you know."Aunt Anne, with the incomparable way that she had, brushed all this very gently aside.She simply said: "I'm glad that she's well." Then she turned to the other gentleman: