“You understand that this Doyle once tried to assassinate me?”
“I know that he tried to beat you, grandfather. I am sorry, but that was long ago. And there was a reason for it, wasn't there?”
“I see,” he said, slowly. “What you are conveying to me, not too delicately, is that you have definitely allied yourself with my enemies. That, here in my own house, you intend to defy me. That, regardless of my wishes or commands, while eating my food, you purpose to traffic with a man who has sworn to get me, sooner or later. Am I correct?”
“I have only said that I see no reason why I should not visit Aunt Elinor.”
“And that you intend to. Do I understand also that you refuse to go to Newport?”
“I daresay I shall have to go, if you send me. I don't want to go.”
“Very well. I am glad we have had this little talk. It makes my own course quite plain. Good-night.”
He opened the door for her and she went out and down the stairs. She felt very calm, and as though something irrevocable had happened. With her anger at her grandfather there was mixed a sort of pity for him, because she knew that nothing he could do would change the fundamental situation. Even if he locked her up, and that was possible, he would know that he had not really changed things, or her. She felt surprisingly strong. All these years that she had feared him, and yet when it came to a direct issue, he was helpless! What had he but his wicked tongue, and what did that matter to deaf ears?
She found her maid gone, and Mademoiselle waiting to help her undress. Mademoiselle often did that. It made her feel still essential in Lily's life.
“A long seance!” she said. “Your mother told me to-night. It is Newport?”