Enter Stage Left:

[sixpearls]

A lady enters. She is young, perhaps thirty years, with a pretty complexion, blue eyes, and a fine smile, although it is small and warm, the smile of one who knows she intrudes and wishes to assure the company that she means no harm, and is well-bred. She pauses, and then enquires, in a soft and lovely voice,--Good day. I am Mrs. James Watson, and

Comments

[trusty_sidekick]

*there's shock at first-- a wife he'd thought was dead, a wife he'd mourned, a life he'd continued alone-- there's a little intake of breath, a little bit of a tremble that's not quite contained--*

*breathed:* Mary. *gives a small, faint smile and extends a hand* Mary, it's you.

[sixpearls]

Oh, dear James! *hurries forward and takes his hand in both of hers*

[trusty_sidekick]

My Mary. *pulls her a little closer* I'd-- oh, you don't know what I'd thought.

[sixpearls]

*rests her head upon his shoulder; the display of affection is inappropriate in public, but she is so glad to see him again* I feared I had lost you.

[trusty_sidekick]

I had rather the same thoughts. *holds her as properly as he can manage, but it's just so good have her near again*

[sixpearls]

*likewise--oh, very likewise* My dear James--are you all right?

[trusty_sidekick]

I'm-- quite all right, dear. I've been a bit lost without you, that's all.

[sixpearls]

I feared Mr. Holmes had taken you on one of his cases and something terrible had happened. Why did you not write to me?

[trusty_sidekick]

*a little shakily, but as a man who's mostly gathered himself* Now, Mary. *catches her hands* Mary, something terrible had happened. Or-- or I thought it had. But it's all quite fine now.

[sixpearls]

*holds them tightly* What on earth was it? What was wrong?

[trusty_sidekick]

I thought I'd lost you.

[sixpearls]

Me? Oh, James, how?

[trusty_sidekick]

*gently* Need we worry about that now? *gives her a small smile* You're here, and that's all.

[sixpearls]

*softly* Oh, my dear--I love you so.

[trusty_sidekick]

And I love you. Oh, Mary.

[sixpearls]

*her eyes are doubtless a little wet with tears, because how should it be otherwise? she's a woman, and she loves him, and it's perfectly permissable* I have never been more glad to be in a strange place. Have you a house here?