"What do you think you're doing ?" "I'm taking her to the duke," said Mr.Wilkinson.
"And do you suppose that Osterley will be pleased at your bringing him my housekeeper, Wilkinson?
On the last occasion, when he did the kidnapping and took her home himself, he seemed very far from pleased." The puzzled look had shifted from the Honourable John Ruffin's face to that of Mr.Wilkinson, and he said sharply: "What do you mean ?" "I mean what I say," said the Honourable John Ruffin firmly.

"I find you dragging my housekeeper, Mary Bride, along the platform of Waterloo Station, by main force, and with the help of a tall, strong man." "I don't know what you are talking about!" cried Mr.Wilkinson stormily.

"And if you'll forgive my saying so, I haven't any time to waste on your jokes, Mr.Ruffin!" "Joke?
Do you want me to show you how much of a joke it is by giving you in charge here and now for kidnapping my housekeeper, Mary Bride ?" said the Honourable John Ruffin coldly.
Mr.Wilkinson's expression grew yet more puzzled and doubtful, and he said: "Mary Bride?
Who is Mary Bride ?" "Now what's the good of a subterfuge of this kind when you're holding her by the hand, Wilkinson?
You should keep such tricks for maiden ladies!" cried the Honourable John Ruffin with a fine show of indignation.
"This is Lady Marion Ricksborough!" cried Wilkinson; but his tone lacked conviction.
"It isn't.

It's my housekeeper, Mary Bride.

I wonder that a man of your knowledge of the world did not see at once that you were kidnapping the wrong person," said the Honourable John Ruffin; and _his_ tone was full of conviction.
"I'm not Lady Marion, and I never said I was.