"Mrs.De Peyster would read about your marriage in the Paris 'Herald' or some other European paper.

You do not wish your mother to know of your marriage--yet." "I supposed Matilda had already told you that," said Jack.
"Ah, so that is why you are here in hiding," said Mr.Pyecroft, very softly, chiefly to himself; and his eyes had another momentary flash, only brighter than any heretofore, and his mouth twitched upward, and he pleasantly rubbed his hands.
At that moment, from the stairway, came the sound of descending steps.
Jack and Mary appeared undisturbed.

Mr.Pyecroft became taut, though no one could have observed a change, Mrs.De Peyster quivered with yet deeper apprehension.

Would the trials and tribulations and Pharaonic plagues never cease descending on her! Matilda gazed wildly at Jack.

"Who's that ?" she quavered.
"Only Uncle Bob," Jack answered carelessly.
Only Uncle Bob! Mrs.De Peyster, in her dim corner, tried to shrivel up into yet darker obscurity.