"Hermione, hold your tongue," said the imperious husband; "or, rather, go away and leave us. I have a word or two to say to Harry Clavering, which had better be said in private."
"I will not go if you are going to quarrel."
"Harry," said Sir Hugh, "I will trouble you to go downstairs before me. If you will step into the breakfast-room I will come to you."
Harry Clavering did as he was bid, and in a few minutes was joined by his cousin in the breakfast-room.
"No doubt you intended to insult me by what you said upstairs." The baronet began in this way after he had carefully shut the door, and had slowly walked up to the rug before the fire, and had there taken his position.
"Not at all; I intended to take the part of an ill-used woman whom you had calumniated."
"Now look here, Harry, I will have no interference on your part in my affairs, either here or elsewhere. You are a very fine fellow, no doubt, but it is not part of your business to set me or my house in order. After what you have just said before Lady Clavering you will do well not to come here in my absence."
"Neither in your absence nor in your presence."
"As to the latter you may do as you please. And now touching my sister-in-law, I will simply recommend you to look after your own affairs."
"I shall look after what affairs I please."