“And who was his friend?”
“One of mine.”
“Ah! You will not tell me.”
“Are you not interesting yourself a little too much in my personal affairs?” she said. She held out her hand coldly. “Good-night.”
“Am I to go, then?”
“No, I am. I am really dropping with sleep. Good-night, cousin.”
He got up in a pet.
“I am sorry my company has proved so fatiguing. There was a time when you could endure it with a better grace. But that was before your days of freedom and happiness.” And he strode out of the room, resisting a violent temptation to bang the door.
But her ladyship stood looking after him rather piteously, and with tears sprung suddenly to her eyes.
“I was so sorry, cousin,” she murmured, with a grievous sigh; “but I am afraid you are a bad man.”