Do as I bid you." And she stood over her niece, as a tragedy queen in a play with a bowl of poison.

Dorothy took it and sipped it from mere force of obedience.

"You make as many bones about a glass of port wine as though it were senna and salts," said Miss Stanbury.

"Now I've got something to say to you." By this time the servant was gone, and the two were seated alone together in the parlour.

Dorothy, who had not as yet swallowed above half her wine, at once put the glass down.