"It is true," she said, interrupting, "I was not able to take your romantic view of the office of companion."
"You need only have taken a human view," said Julie, in a voice that pierced; "I was alone, poor--worse than motherless. You might have done what you would with me. A little indulgence, and I should have been your devoted slave. But you chose to humiliate and crush me; and in return, to protect myself, I, in defending myself, have been led, I admit it, into taking liberties. There is no way out of it. I shall, of course, leave you to-morrow morning."
"Then at last we understand each other," said Lady Henry, with a laugh. "Good-night, Miss Le Breton."
She moved heavily on her sticks. Julie stood aside to let her pass. One of the sticks slipped a little on the polished floor. Julie, with a cry, ran forward, but Lady Henry fiercely motioned her aside.
"Don't touch me! Don't come near me!"
She paused a moment to recover breath and balance. Then she resumed her difficult walk. Julie followed her.
"Kindly put out the electric lights," said Lady Henry, and Julie obeyed.
They entered the hall in which one little light was burning. Lady Henry, with great difficulty, and panting, began to pull herself up the stairs.
"Oh, do let me help you!" said Julie, in an agony. "You will kill yourself. Let me at least call Dixon."
"You will do nothing of the kind," said Lady Henry, indomitable, though tortured by weakness and rheumatism. "Dixon is in my room, where I bade her remain. You should have thought of the consequences of this before you embarked upon it. If I were to die in mounting these stairs, I would not let you help me."