Still smarting under the stout lady's accusations, which continued to sound in sniffs and snorts, she answered as austerely as possible.
'I must leave you to judge, Miss Derrick, how soon you feel able to go.

I don't wish you to do anything imprudent.

But it will be much better if Mrs.Higgins regards me as a stranger during the rest of her stay here.

Any communication she wishes to make to me must be made through a servant.' Having thus delivered herself; Emmeline quitted the room.

From the library, of which the door was left ajar, she heard Louise and her mother pass upstairs, both silent.