Moreover her ladyship was vaguely conscious that in the girl, who still stood pitilessly behind the table, as expecting her to withdraw, she had met her match.

The beautiful face and proud eyes that regarded her so steadfastly had a certain terror for the battered great lady, who had all to lose in a conflict, and saw dimly that coarse words had no power to hurt her adversary.
So Lady Dunborough, after a moment's hesitation, determined to yield the field.

Gathering her skirts about her with a last gesture of contempt, she sailed towards the door, resolved not to demean herself by a single word.

But halfway across the room her resolution, which had nearly cost her a fit, gave way.

She turned, and withering the three travellers with a glance, 'You--you abandoned creature!' she cried.