When she had gone I spied a lace scarf which she had forgotten, and picked it up to restore it.
This did not please the other.

He snatched it from me, and when I proposed to follow, tripped me deftly, and sent me sprawling among the stools.

As I picked myself up, I saw him running to overtake the Blairs.
This time there was no discreet girl to turn the edge of my fury.

All the gibes and annoyances of the past months rushed into my mind, and set my head throbbing.

I was angry, but very cool with it all, for I saw that the matter had now gone too far for tolerance.