"'Now go to your master,' she said, 'and say I desire to see him.'
"I gave him the message, and he accompanied me to this room, where my lady was waiting to receive him, with as much ceremony as if he had been a stranger guest.
"I am here at your bidding,' he said, and turning to me, 'You can go, Denise.'
"'You will stay, Denise,' said my lady.
"The manner of both was stern, but there was more decision in my lady's voice than in his. I hesitated, not knowing which of them to obey.
"'Stay, then, Denise,' said my master, 'as your mistress desires it.'
"I retreated to a corner of the room, as far away from them as I could get. I was really afraid of what was coming. Within the hearts of husband and wife a storm was raging, all the more terrible because of the outward calm with which they confronted each other.
"'You know,' said my lady, 'for what reason I desired to see you.'
"'I know,' he replied,' that I expected you would send for me. If you had not, I should not have presented myself.'
"'You have in your mind,' she said, 'matters which concern us both, of which it is necessary you should speak.'