‘Really,’ said Magdalen, with a taunting little laugh, ‘how absurdly you talk! Treat[Treat] you in this way! You are too ridiculous!’
Eleanor stood looking from one to the other. Magdalen was still standing, speaking lightly, in an attitude of careless grace, and with a disdainful little smile upon her lips; but it seemed to Eleanor that there was a strained look in her eyes.
‘Have you been really quarrelling?’ she asked, doubtfully. ‘Why, he thinks so much of you.’
‘I did,’ said Otho; ‘but it’s d—d difficult to go on thinking so much of a woman who carries on as she does. She’s in my house now, and I hope I know what is due to my guests; but wait till we are out of it, and on neutral ground, that’s all.’
‘Oh, Otho!’ began his sister, shocked. But he had walked sullenly to the door, and opened it. Then he turned and looked towards them again.
‘Remember, Magdalen, you shall pay me with interest for every bit of this night’s work, and that before long.’
‘That will be as I choose,’ she retorted, but her lips had grown thin. Otho was banging out of the room, when Gilbert Langstroth, coming in, caught hold of his arm.
‘Now then, Otho, what is the matter?’
‘Don’t hold me!’ said Otho, looking wrathfully at him. ‘I’m in a bad temper, and you had best let me alone.’
With which he left them, and Gilbert came forward, looking a little seriously at both the young women.