“Go on with your work,” I answered savagely. “I shouldn’t have come back if I’d known you were here.” She bit her underlip, but obeyed at once. I sat down, watching her morosely from under my lids as she swept, and dusted, and laid the cloth for lunch--all silently. Then I called her to me. “Come here.” She left the table and stood before me. “Kneel down.” She knelt at my feet, looking up, and panting a little. I took her soft chin in my hand; and she did not move; and I kept her so, glaring into her young eyes. “You are very loyal to Lady Skene, are you not?” I said. “You told me so, you know.” “Yes,” she whispered. “Were you instructed by her to take this means to come and spy on me?” “No. How could you think it!” “If you cry, I shall turn you out at once. You aren’t watching me, then, to find out what I’m up to?” “No, indeed.” “Why do you come here?” “I’m so sorry for you.” “Is that all?” “And so anxious to earn your pardon.” “You needn’t worry yourself about that. I don’t take the tricks of such midges as you into my philosophy.” “But you haven’t forgiven me.” “I don’t consider you at all. Are you offering to cry again?” “No, I’m not--I’m not really.” “Well, what did you make of that picture?” “Nothing whatever.” “Its a picture of my christening--the christening of Richard Gaskett. I got my name out of a pint pot. That old woman’s my grandmother. She’s fond of gin and peppermint; that’s why I put the bottles underneath. You know I’ve been away?” “Yes.” “Well, my journey was useful to me. I found out things. Would you like to go and tell Lady Skene about the picture, or do I come first in your loyalty?” “You do.” Her answer took me like a sting, sweet and piercing. I don’t know what madness, what revolt was in my blood; but I bent down suddenly and kissed her lips. And then, having done it, the instant revulsion came, and I thrust her rudely from me. She sank back, sitting on her heels, and hid her face in her hands. “There, go!” I cried, jumping to my feet. “I took that, not for myself, but--damn it! don’t you know that Lord Skene disapproves of your coming here? I told him you came by your own will, not mine; and if your will isn’t his, he can just look after his own. But you take the risk of any consequences if you come. I warn you, I’m master here, and I kiss or ill treat whom I choose. Do you understand? You’re a ‘unique young party’ according to him, and you’ve been kissed by the grandson of that old pottle-pot yonder. How do you like the thought? You’ve bound yourself slave to something worse than you expected, haven’t you! But I’ll manumit you. Take your furs and go, before you find out how dangerous I can be! Do you hear? Go, while there’s time!”