She told her father--the statement was literally true--that she had met me at the Royal Arms, where I was stopping, and that she had, through fear of the storm and in dread of highwaymen, asked me to ride beside their coach to Rowsley.
When I saw Sir George enter the room, I expected to have trouble with him; but after he had spoken with Dorothy, much to my surprise, he offered me his hand and said:-- "I thank you, Malcolm, for the help you have rendered my girls, and I am glad you have come back to us." "I have not come back to you, Sir George," said I, withholding my hand.

"I met Mistress Vernon and Lady Madge at the Royal Arms, and escorted them to Rowsley for reasons which she has just given to you.

I was about to depart when you entered." "Tut, tut! Malcolm, you will come with us to Haddon Hall." "To be ordered away again, Sir George ?" I asked.
"I did not order you to go.

You left in a childish fit of anger.

Why in the devil's name did you run away so quickly?
Could you not have given a man time to cool off?
You treated me very badly, Malcolm." "Sir George, you certainly know--" "I know nothing of the sort.