At a burst of fresh laughter and a shot of the bright eyes, Philip surged up to his feet, thrust himself between Ross and Kate, turned his back on him and his face to her, and said in a peremptory voice, “Come into the parlour instantly—I have something to say to you.”
“Oh, indeed!” said Kate.
But she came, looking mischievous and yet demure, with her head down but her eyes peering under their long upper lashes.
“Why don't you send this fellow about his business?” said Philip.
Kate looked up in blank surprise. “What fellow?” she said.
“What fellow?” said Philip, “why, this one that is shillyshallying with you night after night.”
“You can never mean your own cousin, Philip?” said Kate.
“More's the pity if he is my cousin, but he's no fit company for you.”
“I'm sure the gentleman is polite enough.”
“So's the devil himself.”