"Well, Perks told me so."
"Perks never told me," muttered Molly.
"I should think they must suit the house to perfection. Where have you put them?"
"In the small dining-room."
"Yes; they must do admirably there. I should like to see them again." He looked at her with a faintly sarcastic smile. She knew what he intended her to say, and, against her will, she said hastily:
"Won't you come and see them?"
"With great pleasure."
Molly saw that Adela had risen, and sprang up and turned away in one sudden movement. She was very angry with him for forcing her to say that, and she could not conceive what had made her yield.
"'The teeth that bite; the claws that scratch,'" he thought to himself, "but safely chained up—and the movements are beautiful." He stood looking after her.
"I did as you told me," said the hostess, pausing for a moment as she followed her guests to the door. "If Molly blames me, shall I say that you asked to take her in?"