She gasped a little for breath as she sat down.

He had spoken to her as if she had been an impertinent servant who had taken a liberty.

The poor girl was bewildered to the verge of panic.

When he had ended his tirade and took his place beside her he wore his most haughtily intolerant air.
"May I request that in future you will be good enough not to interfere when I am reproving my servants," he remarked.
"I didn't mean to interfere," she apologised tremulously.
"I don't know what you meant.

I only know what you did," was his response.