'I'll see you in the stocks yet!' And she swept from the room.
Alas! the girl laughed: and my lady heard her! Perhaps it was that; perhaps it was the fact that she had not dined, and was leaving her supper behind her; perhaps it was only a general exasperation rendered her ladyship deaf.

From one cause or another she lost something which her woman said to her--with no small appearance of excitement--as they crossed the hall.

The maid said it again, but with no better success; and pressing nearer to say it a third time, when they were halfway up the stairs, she had the misfortune to step on her mistress's train.

The viscountess turned in a fury, and slapped her cheek.
'You clumsy slut!' she cried.

'Will that teach you to be more careful ?' The woman shrank away, one side of her face deep red, her eyes glittering.