Bayre stopped too at the foot of the steps and looked up.
She heard the footsteps stop and looked round quickly. An exclamation broke from her lips.
“You’ve followed me!” she cried.
“Yes—Signora.”
She started, hesitated, then shut the door again and came down the steps.
“Why have you done this?” she said passionately.
“Why have you run away, without a word, with my cousin, my ward, Miss Merriman?”
“Your ward!” She laughed derisively. “Don’t talk nonsense. You know that that is a mere farce. You know well enough that I’m his mother.”
“Yes, and you’re something else,” replied Bayre, coolly. “You’re my aunt, Mrs Bartlett Bayre.”
She met his eyes, and then looked down; but she made no attempt to contradict him.