There came a double knock at the house-door, but it did not attract her attention; a knock at her own room, and only when some one entered was she recalled to the present.
It was Grace again; her lodging was elsewhere, and this late visit could have but one motive.
They stood face to face.

The elder woman was so incensed that her lips moved fruitlessly, like those of a paralytic.
'I suppose you're going to make a scene,' Clara addressed her.

'Please remember how late it is, and don't let all the house hear you.' 'You mean to tell me you accepted that offer of Peel's--without saying a word--without as much as telling him that he ought to speak to me first ?' 'Certainly I did.

I've waited long enough; I'm not going to beat about the bush when my chance comes.' 'And you called yourself my friend ?' 'I'm nobody's friend but my own in an affair of this kind.

If you'd been in my place you'd have done just the same.' 'I wouldn't! I _couldn't_ have been such a mean creature! Every man and woman in the company'll cry shame on you.' 'Don't deafen me with your nonsense! If you played the part badly, I suppose some one else must take it.