Re: The Secretary/The Crowned
"It's a pleasant subject for discussion," Mary allowed. She rarely had the sort of leisure that allowed for pleasant discussion, but Mrs Bagby had retired after the first disappearance. And when Mary had alerted her to the other vanishments, and the conductor had inspected Mrs Bagby's ticket, Mrs Bagby had elected to remain in her sleeping quarters, unconcerned by the prospect of magical disappearance. The rare treat of a private conversation without fear of interruption was not to be refused, even if the circumstances were downright odd.
"I have traveled in Europe, but I've never had the leisure to spend time in the great museums of the capitals, or in the ruins of the ancients. I should enjoy learning from them. Books and photographs are one thing, but the time to examine such places in person would be a great joy to me. If I were to go somewhere I haven't been before, perhaps China or Japan. I've seen photographs of the castles there, and the Great Wall, and those places seem comparable to the sorts of places I should enjoy in Europe."
It had not escaped Mary that Mr Marlborough, of a storied and historic name himself, had not actually answered her question. But a woman of her rank, or the lack thereof, could hardly press a gentleman for anything. Knowing, then, that he would say nothing, she asked him, "Have you been able to spend time in the centers of culture and history, or have your travels also been fully occupied by business pursuits?"