He drove rather than wheeled her before him into the deserted room, where all was so brilliant and warm, the light blinking in the bright brass and steel, the lamps serenely burning, everything telling of the tranquil life, unbroken by any but cheerful incidents, which had gone on there for so many years. “Now, mother,” said Dolff, “we have got to have it out. Who is that man upstairs?” Julia had followed them unremarked, and remained behind her mother’s chair. Dolff stood before them, in the full firelight, very erect, inspired with indignation and that sense of superiority which injury gives. It had elevated him altogether in the scale of being. His own shortcomings had fallen from his consciousness. He was aware of nothing but that he, Dolff, in reality the head of the family, had been deceived and compromised. Mrs. Harwood took but little notice of her son. She took up her work which had been thrown upon the table and turned it over in her fingers. “Gussy was right,” she said, “though she was a little brusque in her way of saying it. I am certainly unable to bear anything more to-night.” “I suppose, however, you can answer my question,” said Dolff. “Go to bed, boy,” said his mother, “and don’t worry me. We have two or three things to talk over, you and I, which are too much for to-night.” “I am not a boy any longer,” cried Dolff; “you have made me a man. Who is it you have been hiding for years upstairs?” She gave vent to a little fierce laugh. “For my pleasure,” she said; “for my amusement, as anybody may see.” “Whether it is for your amusement or not,” said Dolff, “I am of age, and I have a right to know who is living in my house.” “In _your_ house!” Her exasperation was growing. “Don’t force me, Dolff, to go into other questions to-night.” “Whose house is it?” he said. “There’s been no question, because you have kept everything in your hands; but if I am to be driven to it, and claim my rights----” “Your rights!” she cried, again repeating his words. “Was it one of your rights to knock down a man like a coward from behind? It appears this is what you think you may be permitted to do with impunity--to have your home searched in every corner and to destroy all that I have been doing for years, and to bring shame and disgrace to a house that I have kept free of shame, almost at the risk of my life!” “I did not,” cried Dolff, interrupting her eagerly. “I did not knock him down from behind. I had not time to think. I let fly at him as I passed. It’s a lie to say I knocked him down from behind.” “You did the same thing; you took him unawares. And you dare to question me! You killed a man at my door--or meant to do it--and never breathed a word to warn us, to keep us from the disgrace----” Dolff was not clever enough to know what to say. His snort of rage was not attended by any force of bitter words. He only could repeat, with rage and incompetence, “At _your_ door?”