"I am not sure if I wish to be taken in," retorted Maunders contemptuously; "it is not a respectable business."
"You are a liar! My business is perfectly respectable, and I earn my money honestly." Vernon caught up his hat and looked round the elegant room. "I doubt if you can say the same."
"What do you mean by that?" demanded Maunders furiously.
"I mean that you haven't a sixpence, that your aunt can't allow you much, and that you are living far beyond your means. Where do you get the money?"
"That's my business," said Maunders coolly, "and my aunt is wealthy."
"So wealthy that she desires the post of a paid companion to Miss Dimsdale," sneered Vernon, making for the door. "She told me so herself, although I'm bound to say that she desires to further your interests by inducing Miss Dimsdale to love you again."
"I can manage all that for myself," said Maunders decisively; "my aunt has no business to interfere with my affairs."
"She brought you up, and----"
"And I am to be her slave for the rest of my life. Nonsense! All that filial feeling is out of date," said Maunders lightly. "However, I shall tell my aunt what I think of her talking to you in this way. As to the rest of it, you keep out of my way, Vernon, or it will be the worse for you."
"Ah!" Vernon faced round at the door. "Now you speak clearly. Is it to be peace or war between us?"