"If both my solicitor and my secretary are glad—!" She broke off with a scornful laugh. "I'm not going to discuss the matter with you, but I like people who are about me to receive my invitations with politeness."
"This isn't easy for me, Miss Driver, but—that man oughtn't to come to this house. He oughtn't to be allowed to see you."
She rose from her chair, her eyes set unmovingly on my face. Her voice was low. "How dare you say that? How dare you? Am I to take orders from you—my secretary—my servant?"
"You called me your friend the other day."
"I seem to have been hasty. A kind friend indeed to listen to stories against me!"
"The story is against the man—not against you."
"Are you dining with any other friends to-night?"
"I've told you that I'm not."
"Then I request—I desire—that you will make it convenient to give me the pleasure of your company—to meet my friend, Mr. Powers."
My temper went suddenly. "I won't sit at meat with the blackguard—above all, not in your company."