She looked at Miss Stellenthorpe, with the concentrated hatred that only embittered vanity can engender.
"I am going to leave the house," she said thickly. "I shan't stay in a house where I've been insulted."
"Who has insulted you in this house?" demanded Nicholas, half smiling.
Doris made a dumb gesture indicating Miss Stellenthorpe.
"Nonsense!" said Nicholas brusquely. He put his hand on the girl's arm.
"What's all this about? You've misunderstood something. What is it?"
"Rien de rien!" declared Aunt Clo contemptuously. "For the little Dickenson's own good, mon ami, I take it upon myself to point out certain wearisome tricks that our Lily has borne far too long, and hence comes this talk of insult. Enfantillage!"
Aunt Clo's cigarette described a parabola that dismissed the subject as being one of no further importance. Nicholas turned to his wife.
"Lily—of course Miss Dickenson mustn't dream of leaving us. We should be most distressed——"
Lily looked at Doris.