It contained a letter from the King himself, craving hospitality for a few days, as his mother was about to visit England, and to take up with Lord Avonleigh her residence at the Castle. A slight incognito would be preserved, and as little form and ceremony expected as was possible.

to bush peas

He rises up on his wasted legs, the healer's hands octopussed on his head.

Already on her second marriage when she met Chandler, she was worldy, sexually wise and 18 years his senior, a fact he apparently didn’t know until after they were married.