"And that my attentions are displeasing to you! Well, Miss Beauleigh! Well, indeed!"
Diana softened a little.
"I am indeed sorry that you should have misconstrued—"
"No misconstruction, madam!" snapped the Squire, who was fast losing control over his temper. "Do you dare aver that you did not encourage me to visit you?"
"I do, most emphatically!"
"Oh, I see what 'tis! You cannot hoodwink me. 'Twas never thus with you before that fellow came!"
"Mr. Bettison, I am entirely at a loss, but I desire you to leave this room before you say aught you may afterwards regret."
He disregarded her.
"You are infatuated by that over-dressed popinjay—that insufferable Carr, who, from all I hear, is but a shady fellow, and who—"
With a sweeping movement Diana had risen and walked to the bell-rope. She now pulled it with such vigour that a great peal sounded throughout the house.