She frowned; she hated direct questions, they were so ill-bred.

“Live?” she repeated. “Oh, I don’t know at all. Of course I shall be a good deal here——”

“By here do you mean in this house?”

“I dare say—I don’t know; I have not thought about it.”

“You had better think. The rent of this house is fifteen hundred a year. Happily it was only taken by the year. I have told them it will not be required next year.”

“Very officious of you!” she said with a chilly smile. “I have a right to Otterbourne House.”

“Not the smallest right.”

“That is absurd.”

“It is law.”

“Is it true you have let it to Mannheim?”