"We shall see that. Once more, will you give me my key or not?"
"The key of my dressing-room door is in my possession, and I mean to keep it," repeated the old lady, with a provoking mildness.
"You shan't, madam—you'll do no such thing. You shall give up the key you have stolen. I'll lose my life but I'll make you."
"Jane, Jane," said the old lady, "you are sadly changed for the worse since last I saw you."
"And if you're not, it's only because there was no room for it. Sadly changed indeed—very true. I don't suffer you to bully me as you used at Wardlock."
"May Heaven forgive and pardon you!" ejaculated the old lady, with great severity, rising perpendicularly and raising both her eyes and hands.
"Keep your prayers for yourself, madam, and give me my key," demanded the incensed young lady.
"I'll do no such thing; I'll do as I said; and I'll pray how I please, ma'am," retorted the suppliant, fiercely.
"Your prayers don't signify twopence. You've the temper of a fiend, as all the world knows; and no one can live in the same house with you," rejoined Lady Jane.
"That's a wicked lie: my servants live all their days with me."