'Paula, this is very unsatisfactory.'
'What do you want? What am I to do?'
'To sit down and listen. As I have such very grave grounds for distrusting you, I can only pursue one course. I must claim your entire obedience to certain commands I am now going to detail. Refusal will, of course, drive me to the most painful extremities.'
'What do you want?'
'To-morrow you were to give your last dinner-party. You will at once send a notice to all your guests that you are ill and cannot receive them.'
'Absurd! How can I do such a thing?'
'You will do it. We spoke of going to Scotland with the Scalpers. Instead of that, you accompany me to Manchester when Parliament rises, and you live with me there in retirement whilst I am occupied with my study of the factory questions which immediately interest me.'
Paula was silent.
'These are my commands. The alternative to obedience is—you know what. Pray let me know your decision.'
'Why do you behave to me in this way? What have I done to be treated like this?'