Aldous was surprised. He had expected a response more akin to that Reuben had had the first time he had been sent abroad due to his inopportune relationship with Miss Finch. This Reuben seemed almost pleased with Aldous' suggestion. Either his brother was bewitched, Aldous thought, or he had matured a great deal in the intervening years, elopement aside.

"But does Mis—does she fly?" Aldous asked, eyebrows raised. It was not exactly the norm for a genteel woman, even one foolish enough to marry Reuben. "It might be easiest to arrange passage by boat instead, though not quite so speedy."

Though the suggestion was well-intentioned, it was not delivered with conviction. Ben seemed so on board with this plan that Aldous had little desire to derail the plan by accident.