"He happens to be Viceroy of Nanking," observed the girl.
Waudle, frightened, lost his temper and turned on her, exasperated:
"Be careful! Your insinuations involve our honour and are actionable! Do you realise what you are saying?"
"Perfectly."
"I fear not. Do you imagine you are competent to speak with authority about China and its people and its complex and mysterious art when you have never been in the country?"
"I have seen a little of China, Mr. Waudle. But I do not pretend to speak with undue authority about it."
"You say you've been in China?" His tone of disbelief was loud and bullying.
"I was in China with my father when I was a girl of sixteen."
"Oh! Perhaps you speak Chinese!" he sneered.
She looked at him gravely, not answering.