"One moment, if you please—you can afford to listen for one moment, I suppose," said the old lady, in a very low, dry tone, laying two of her lean fingers upon the snowy arm of the beautiful young lady, who, with a haughty contraction and an uplifted head, withdrew it fiercely from her touch. "You forget your maid, I think. You had better tell her to withdraw, hadn't you?"
"I don't care; why should I?" said Lady Jane, in a high key.
"Beatrix, dear, run into my bed-room for a moment," said "Granny" to that distressed and perplexed young lady, who, accustomed to obey, instantly withdrew.
CHAPTER XXI.
Lady Alice in Bed.
"We may be alone together, if you choose it; if not, I can't help it," said Lady Alice, in a very low and impressive key.
"Well, it's nothing to me," said Lady Jane, more calmly and sullenly—"nothing at all—but as you insist—Cecile, you may go for a few minutes."
This permission was communicated sulkily, in French.
"Now, Jane, you shall hear me," said the old lady, so soon as the maid had disappeared and the doors were shut; "you must hear me with patience, if not with respect—that I don't expect—but remember you have no mother, and I am an old woman and your kinswoman, and it is my duty to speak—"