'Do, Colonel Osborne. Mamma would come with him, of course?'

'We should leave him to manage all that. It's not very likely that
he would leave Lady Rowley behind.'

'He never has. I know he thinks more of mamma than he ever does
of himself. Fancy having them here in the autumn! I suppose if he
came for the end of the session, they wouldn't send him back quite
at once?'

'I rather fancy that our foreign and colonial servants know how to
stretch a point when they find themselves in England.'

'Of course they do, Colonel Osborne; and why shouldn't they? Think
of all that they have to endure out in those horrible places. How
would you like to live in the Mandarins?'

'I should prefer London, certainly.'

'Of course you would; and you mustn't begrudge papa a month or two
when he comes. I never cared about your being in parliament before,
but I shall think so much of you now if you can manage to get papa
home.'

There could be nothing more innocent than this--nothing more innocent
at any rate as regarded any offence against Mr Trevelyan. But just
then there came a word which a little startled Mrs Trevelyan, and
made her feel afraid that she was doing wrong.

'I must make one stipulation with you, Emily,' said the Colonel.