For a minute or two Mr. North looked utterly helpless; then cast an appealing look at his son. Richard rose, laying down his table-napkin.
"Leave the room for an instant," he quietly said to the servants, including Jelly. And they filed out.
"My dear father, is it your wish to see Mrs. Cumberland?"
"Oh, Dick, you know it is," spoke the poor brow-beaten man. "There's little left to me in life to care for now; but if I let her die without going to her there'll be less."
"Then you shall go," said Richard. Madam turned to him in furious anger.
"How dare you attempt to oppose me, Richard North? I say your father shall not go forth at the beck and call of this crazy woman."
"Madam, I say he shall," calmly spoke Richard.
"Do you defy me? Has it come to that?"
"Why yes, if you force it upon me: it is not my fault. Pardon me if I speak plainly--if I set you right upon one point, madam," he added. "You have just said your will is law in the house and out of it: in future it must, on some occasions, yield to mine. This is one of them. My father will go to Mrs. Cumberland's. Say no more, madam: it will be useless; and I am about to admit the servants."
From sheer amazement madam was silent. The resolution born of conscious power to will and to execute lay in every tone and glance of Richard North. Before she could rally her energies, the door was opened to the servants, and she heard Richard's order to make ready and bring round the close carriage. Instantly.