"Stop! I must speak with you before you leave the room!"
The girl recoiled in terror, and began with "Mr. Grey!" in a tone of fear and expostulation.
"Go back. I say I must speak with you before you leave this room!"
She struggled with herself for a moment, and then summoned courage enough to begin with:
"By what right, Mr. Grey——"
"By any right or by any wrong you must speak with me. Do I look like a child, or a fool, or a woman?"
His manner was vehement and over-powering. For an instant she resolved to defy him, but by a powerful sweep of his arm he indicated that denial was out of the question. With a palpitating heart and confused head she stepped back into the room.
He followed her and locked the door. When she heard him do this her strength gave way altogether, and she sank on a chair.
He walked up and down the room some time before he spoke.
"Tell me, what did that wretched woman say to you? What was her business with you? What brought her here?"