"I wasna in the way when ye cam' here, or I suld ha' made bauld to ask ye the question which I maun e'en ask noo.

Am I to understand that ye hire these rooms for yersel', and this leddy here--yer wife ?" Anne raised her head to speak.

Arnold pressed her hand warningly, under the table, and silenced her.
"Certainly," he said.

"I take the rooms for myself, and this lady here--my wife!" Anne made a second attempt to speak.
"This gentleman--" she began.
Arnold stopped her for the second time.
"This gentleman ?" repeated Mrs.Inchbare, with a broad stare of surprise.

"I'm only a puir woman, my leddy--d'ye mean yer husband here ?" Arnold's warning hand touched Anne's, for the third time.