'There is enough to find fault about at all times, sir.'
'On which side, Mrs. Cadurcis?' inquired Plantagenet, with a sneer.
'Don't aggravate me, Lord Cadurcis,' said his mother.
'How am I aggravating you, ma'am?'
'I won't be answered,' said the mother.
'I prefer silence myself,' said the son.
'I won't be insulted in my own room, sir,' said Mrs. Cadurcis.
'I am not insulting you, Mrs. Cadurcis,' said Plantagenet, rather fiercely; 'and, as for your own room, I never wish to enter it. Indeed I should not be here at this moment, had you not ordered my fire to be put out, and particularly requested that I should sit in the saloon.'
'Oh! you are a vastly obedient person, I dare say,' replied Mrs. Cadurcis, very pettishly. 'How long, I should like to know, have my requests received such particular attention? Pooh!'
'Well, then, I will order my fire to be lighted again,' said
Plantagenet.