On the advent of Lady Sue Aldmarshe into his bachelor establishment he called on his sister-in-law for the part of duenna.
At one time the fair Editha had exercised her undoubted charms over Marmaduke's violent nature, but latterly she had become a mere butt for his outbursts of rage.

But now to her astonishment, and in response to her petulant reproach, his fury seemed to fall away from him.

He threw his head back and broke out into uncontrolled, half-sarcastic, almost defiant laughter.
"How blind you are, my dear Editha," he said with a shrug of his broad shoulders.

"Nay! an I mistake not, in that case there will be some strange surprises for you within the next three months.

I pray you try and curb your impatience until then, and to bear with the insolence of a serving wench, 'Twill serve you well, mine oath on that!" he added significantly.
Then without vouchsafing further explanations of his enigmatic utterances, he turned on his heel--still laughing apparently at some pleasing thought--and walked upstairs, leaving her to meditate..