"Is she like that to you?"
"She told me last night that I was a stranger, and that I ought to leave the house."
"And what did you say?"
"I told her I should stay while he wished me to stay. But it is all so terrible, that I think I had better go."
"I would not stir a step—on her account."
"But why should she be so bitter? I have done nothing to offend her. It is more than half of even my long lifetime since I saw her. She is nothing; but I have to think of his comfort. I suppose she is good to him; and though he may bid me stay such scenes as this in the house must be a trouble to him." Nevertheless Reginald was strong in opinion that Lady Ushant ought not to allow herself to be driven away, and declared his own purpose of coming daily as had of late been his wont.
Soon after this Reginald was summoned to go upstairs and he again met the angry woman in the passage, passing her of course without a word. And then Mary came to see her friend, and she also encountered Mrs. Morton, who was determined that no one should come into that house without her knowledge. "Who is that young woman?" said Mrs. Morton to the old housekeeper.
"That is Miss Masters, my Lady."
"And who is Miss Masters,—and why does she come here at such a time as this?"
"She is the daughter of Attorney Masters, my Lady. It was she as was brought up here by Lady Ushant."