"Well, sir," he said, "I will ask you one question: by what authority do you detain the lady here?"
"By sufficient authority for my justification, sir," replied the master.
"It must be sufficient for my satisfaction before I go hence," replied Mr. Winkworth; "for I warn you I am a person never turned from my object. My belief is, that you have no lawful authority whatever; and, if you persist in your present course, I must take very unpleasant means to ascertain whether you have or have not."
"What means may those be?" asked the man, drily.
"The sending for a constable," answered Mr. Winkworth, "and giving you in charge for assault and false imprisonment."
"You will think twice before you do that, I fancy."
"No, I shall not," answered Mr. Winkworth: "I never think twice of anything. But you may save me some trouble, and yourself some annoyance, by answering a few very simple questions, which I have every right to demand."
"Well, I have no objection to answer any reasonable question," said the master, who did not like the notion of being given in charge, though he had affected to treat it lightly.
"First, then," said Mr. Winkworth, "has the lady been seen by any physician?"
"Not yet," replied the master of the house, "but one will visit her in an hour or two."