"'Have you been long downstairs, Miss Keeldar, and alone with Mr. Moore?'
"'Yes, a very long time. We both came down early; it was scarcely light.'
"'The proceeding is improper——'
"'It was at first, I was rather cross, and not civil; but you will perceive that we are now friends.'
"'I perceive more than you would wish me to perceive.'
"'Hardly, sir,' said I; 'we have no disguises. Will you permit me to intimate that any further observations you have to make may as well be addressed to me? Henceforward I stand between Miss Keeldar and all annoyance.'
"'You! What have you to do with Miss Keeldar?'
"'To protect, watch over, serve her.'
"'You, sir—you, the tutor?'
"'Not one word of insult, sir,' interposed she; 'not one syllable of disrespect to Mr. Moore in this house.'