"I forbid you, in your husband's interests."
"You are insolent."
"I'm in a position to be anything I choose."
"Because I have your husband in my power."
"I do not believe it!"
"If I choose to make public," she said, laughing insolently, "the manner in which your husband is spending his time in London, I could have him cashiered from the navy."
Lady Isabelle drew herself up, and gave her adversary a look of unutterable scorn and contempt, saying:—
"You will probably circulate any falsehood about my husband that you please; it will simply prove to others, as it proves to me, that you still do love him, and that when he knew your true character he left you," and turning from her astonished and indignant rival, she quietly crossed the length of the drawing-room, to where the Dowager and the parson were seated.
"Mother," she said, "would you think me very rude if I asked for Mr. Lambert's company for a few moments? I want to have a serious talk with him."