'You mustn't sink into the country squire for ever.' 'Oh, but that's just what I want to sink into,' said Gerald.

'Don't bother about people, though, dear.

We can have plenty of people to stay with us, and go about a bit ourselves.' 'But we must be in London for part of the year,' said Althea.
'Oh, you will run up now and then for a week whenever you like,' said Gerald.
'A week! How can one keep in touch with what is going on in a week?
Can't we take a little house there?
One of those nice little old houses in Westminster, for example ?' 'A house, my dear! Why, you don't want to leave Merriston, do you?
What would become of Merriston if we had a house in London--and of all our plans?
We really couldn't manage that, dear--we really couldn't afford it.' Yes, she saw the life very distinctly, now; that of the former Mrs.
Digbys--that of cheerful squiress and wise helpmate.

And, charmed though she was with her lover, Althea was not charmed with that prospect.

She promised herself that things should turn out rather differently.