"I object to everything," Sir Ross answered. "I don't like you having any man hanging about you so much, and I bar this particular one. That ought to be enough."
"I believe you're jealous," Mrs. Sinclair said.
"It don't matter what I am," Sir Ross said angrily, "if you're not going to take any notice of my wishes. Jealous or not, I'm in earnest. Which is it to be?"
"I can't affront people in this way," she replied. "What reason am I to give him?"
"I've done that for you," Sir Ross remarked. "I told him you were going to marry me, and that I wouldn't have him compromising you."
Mrs. Sinclair was irritated.
"You had no right to do anything of the kind," she said warmly. "What did he say?"
"He said he would go if, and when, you told him," Sir Ross answered. "Will you tell him now?"
"No," said Mrs. Sinclair; "certainly not."
"Then I will wish you a very good-day," he answered frigidly. "Pray do not trouble to come into the hall. You are keeping Mr. Ashley waiting."