"No doubt. But I haven't gone away."
He emphasised his point by rising and taking up a commanding position on the hearthrug.
Some one knocked at the door, and she started violently.
It was only a servant, bringing a note for her.
She read it and handed it to Marston, looking piteously at him as he stood his ground.
"Mr. Lucy can come up," she said. "We have finished all we had to say."
"I think there are one or two points," he replied, "still unsettled."
She turned to the servant.
"Will you tell Mr. Lucy I'm engaged for the present. I will see him later."
"No, my dear Mrs. Tailleur, not on my account. There's no reason why you shouldn't see Mr. Lucy now. No reason at all."