"With your permission, madam, I will sit down."
"I would rather you did not."
He was about to act on his own suggestion when my words arrested him. He seemed disconcerted, looking at me as if wondering what it was that I might mean. I went on, "Of course you are lying again?"
The man drew himself up with what he intended to be an air of dignity.
"Lying?--Again?--Madam! May I inquire what you mean?"
"Pray don't put on that sort of air with me. I understand you very well, my man. You are too common a type not to be understood. Of course, you are lying again and of course I shall tell Mr. Haines so when he returns." He looked as if he felt that in exchanging Mr. Haines' society for mine he had made a change for the worse. "Or, rather, I shall tell Mr. Haines unless you give me satisfactory answers to the questions I am about to put to you."
"I assure you, madam, that, as a gentleman----"
"Stop! Confine yourself to answering my questions. On your answers will depend whether or not I shall keep silence. What is your name?"