What was Mr. Waverton to make of that? "I believe I have excited you," says he.
"By God, it is the first time," Alison cried and turned on him so fiercely that he started back.
There was a servant at the door saying something which went unheard. Then Susan Burford came into the room, an odd contrast in her placid simplicity to the amazed magnificence of Mr. Waverton or Alison's tremulous, furious beauty. Alison was turned away from her and too much engaged to hear or be aware of her.
"Here is Miss Burford," said Waverton in a hurry.
Alison whirled upon her. "You! You have nothing to do here."
"My dear Alison!" Waverton protested. "Miss Burford, your very obedient."
Susan made him a small leisurely curtsy and sat down. "Oh, please give me a dish of tea," she said.
"We have not seen you at Tetherdown in this long while," Mr. Waverton complained genially.
"I believe not," says Susan.
Alison stared at her. "Why do you come here? You know you despise me."