"You time your visit late, gentlemen," she said, with a slight inflection of scorn on the concluding word.
"We are obliged to consult our own convenience rather than yours, Lily. Pardon our informal and ill-timed visit," said Mr. Colville, coming forward to her side.
She flashed a look of scorn upon him, but deigned no reply. He turned to the two old people who stood waiting.
"You may go," he said. "We will apprise you when we are about to leave."
"No, let them remain," said Lily, imperiously. "I have something to say to you, Mr. Colville, and I desire that these, your friends, may hear it."
Old Peter and Haidee looked at each other in some trepidation at her words and manner, but stood still, curious and a little frightened.
"My friends," muttered Colville, indignantly; "Miss Lawrence, I do not choose my friends from among such rabble, I assure you!"
"Do you not?" said she, contemptuously. "Yet if you had a precious treasure, Mr. Colville, and desired to guard it very carefully, you would entrust it to your best friends rather than your enemies—would you not?"
"Assuredly," he answered, wondering what she meant by her strange words and manner.