"Even a dog would rather be beaten than kicked to one side." Sir Roland lowered his paper again with startling suddenness.
"Is that your point of view ?" he said.

"Then I fear I have been neglecting my duty most outrageously.

However, it is an omission easily remedied.

Let me hear no more of this masquerade, Lady Brooke! You have my orders, and if you transgress them you will be punished in a fashion scarcely to your liking.

Is that clearly understood ?" He looked straight up at her with cold, smiling eyes that yet seemed to convey a steely warning.
She shivered very slightly as she encountered them.