'What brings you back?' she cried. 'You are a disgrace to your sex: you are no lady; you are a shameless minx!'
Muriel came close to her, her hand clutched in her pocket.
'Aunt,' she said, 'you are carrying this a little too far. Did you really suppose that I had gone at your command?'
'I certainly did; and I repeat it. Go!'
'When I leave this room, Frank goes with me. Supper will be served in a minute for him and me in my sitting-room.'
'Is it you or I that's dreaming, girl?'
'You have been dreaming, but you're wakening now. You thought you could mistress me; you can't.'
'If I can't mistress yon, as you vulgarly say, we'll see whom the servants will obey.'
Miss Jane rang the bell violently.
Muriel's hand was again half-out of her pocket, but a whimsical expression came over her face, and she returned it.