Leycester smiled as if at some strange conceit.
"You do indeed take upon yourself," he retorted, with great scorn. "Perhaps you will kindly remain silent."
Jasper's face whitened and winced.
"You are in my apartment, Lord Leycester."
"I regret to admit it. I more deeply regret that this lady should be here. I await her explanation."
"And what if I say she will not gratify your curiosity?" said Jasper, with a malignant smile.
"What will happen, do you mean?" asked Leycester, curtly. "Well, I shall probably throw you out of the window."
Stella uttered a low cry and laid her hand upon his arm; she knew him so well, and had no difficulty in reading the sudden lightning in the dark eyes, and the resolute tightening of the lips. She knew that it was no idle threat, and that a word more from Jasper of the same kind would rouse the fierce, impetuous anger for which Leycester was notorious.
In a moment his anger disappeared.