"I have a message for you from Mrs.Lorimer," she said, after a moment, and proceeded to deliver it in a low, steady voice, her eyes upon the fire.
The man in the chair heard it without the movement of a muscle of his face.

"I will endeavour to look in upon her presently," was all the reply he made.
Avery turned to go, but he stopped her with a gesture.
"Mrs.Denys," he said smoothly, "you forget, I think, that I also had something to say." Avery paused.

She had forgotten.
He turned his eyes deliberately up to hers, as he leaned back in his chair.

"I am sorry to have to tell you," he said, "that in consequence of your unfortunate zeal in encouraging the children in insubordination, I can no longer look upon you as in any sense a help in my household.

I therefore desire that you will take a month's notice from now.