Leslie.
No, dear, no—of course not. [To Wilfrid.] Why, I haven’t written a word to Dun about our little visitor and Mrs. Stonehay’s resentment at our sheltering her. If I had, the dear fellow would have flown home to fight my battles for me, and left his business unfinished. I know Dun.
Janet Preece.
Mrs. Stonehay’s resentment at your giving me shelter! Oh, why should she be so cruel to me!
Leslie.
Hush, dear—it is Mrs. Stonehay’s nature to be jealous and arrogant. When she discovered that her dependent, as she called you, was installed here as my friend, she indignantly reproached me for enticing you from her service.
Wilfrid Brudenell.
I never saw a woman so angry. I had the honour of bowing her out at the front door, and she declared she shook the dust of the Villa Colobiano from her feet; luckily, it was only a figure of speech, for her feet are very large.
[Priscilla enters.]