The Seed of Empire by Fred M. White

She was a little woman of about middle age, picturesque, essentially French and quiet in her manner. But it was not Mother Mary that attracted Bentley's attention just at that moment, for down a little path leading to the side of the cottage appeared a figure that was familiar both to Kemp and Bentley, a figure they had not seen for some time.

"Why it's Venables!" Kemp cried. "What on earth are you doing here, and where do you come from?"