Mrs. Lorraine spoke timidly yet firmly. She had not lived two months under Tor’s protection for nothing. She was not ashamed or afraid to assume that position which he had always accorded to her. But Mrs. Belassis’ wrath knew no bounds, and to Olive she allowed it to burst out.
‘In point of fact, you have remained behind in order to spy upon my doings?’
‘And whose fault is it if I have?’ asked Mrs. Lorraine, not without dignity. ‘What should we have seen had anyone spied upon you whilst you were shut up in Philip’s room the other day? It is you who force us to watch you, Celia. Philip is away, and we are responsible for what goes on in his absence.’
Mrs. Belassis sneered.
‘And so I cannot be allowed to make a few notes from these books without supervision? Even old Uncle Maynard, the misanthrope, was less cautious than you seem to be. Are you afraid that I shall walk off with some rare book? I cannot think what has come over you, Olive.’
‘I could say the same of you, Celia. Why should you object to my presence here, unless——’
But Mrs. Belassis rose with dignity.
‘I shall not remain here to be insulted. Some day, Olive Lorraine, you shall be made to rue the day when you played the spy upon me, and made me Philip Debenham’s declared enemy.’
‘I think enmity is better declared than secret, Celia,’ answered Mrs. Lorraine tranquilly. ‘You have always been Philip’s enemy, and you know it.’
‘And now you shall learn what my enmity is like, and how it can affect your idolized nephew. Tell him to look to himself!’