Oh, of course, I admit she's a very clever woman! But she wasn't there.
Forest thinks she's gone over to Holme Wood, to get father some information he wants.

She asked Forest how to get this this morning.
My dear Margaret,' with great emphasis, 'there's no question about it! If she chooses, she'll be mistress here before long.

She's steadily getting father into her hands.

She was never engaged, was she, to look after accounts and farms?
and yet here she is, taking everything on.

He'll grow more and more dependent upon her, and you'll see!--I believe he's been inclined for some time to marry again.