of--I may put it fairly, as the suggestion is your own--of not having treated you as a woman!' 'Damn!' 'As you observe so gracefully, it is annoying to have one's own silly words come back at one, boomerang fashion.

I made up my mind to do something for you; to pay off your debts.' This so exasperated him that he said out brutally: 'No thanks to you for that! As I had to put up with the patronage and the lecturings, and the eyeglass of that infernal old woman, I don't intend.

.

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' Stephen stood up, her hand upon the gong: 'Mr.Everard, if you do not remember that you are in my drawing-room, and speaking of my dear and respected aunt, I shall not detain you longer!' He sat down at once, saying surlily: 'I beg your pardon.