And that it is his wish, his formally expressed instruction, that none but myself should enter it.
Miss Tre. Oh!
Mrs. Mar. (to desk C.) I allow no housemaid here—I dust it myself. Sir Joseph, in common with most legal gentlemen, is partial to dust, but I control his partiality. So you understand—(down C.)
Miss Tre. But the Courts have risen to-day, dear Mrs. Martelli! The Long Vacation, they call it, do they not? For nigh on three months Sir Joseph ceases to be the brilliant advocate; Parliament is not sitting, so the House will not hear his inspired accents—
Mrs. Mar. My accents may be less inspired, but they rest on authority; and I beg you to heed them. This room is private.
Miss Tre. (sweetly) I can quite understand that, to the servants, it is a sanctuary.
Mrs. Mar. To the servants, and the upper servants, Miss Treable. You and I are both upper servants.
Miss Tre. (rise, indignantly) Mrs. Martelli! This is intolerable. I am dear Margaret's companion—(sit on stool L. C.) her trusted friend—
Mrs. Mar. At so much per annum, paid quarterly. Sir Joseph has confided the government of his household to me.