'You've taken jolly good care of yourselves, it seems to me.' She jumped up, and rang the bell.

When a minute's interval brought no reply, she rang again.

Beatrice thought it probable that the bell might be rung without effect, 'till all was blue.' 'We'll see about that,' answered her sister, and forthwith invaded the lower parts of the house.

Thence, presently, her voice became audible, rising gradually to shrillness; with it there blended the rougher accents of the housemaid, now in reckless revolt.

Beatrice listened for a minute or two in the hall, then passed on into the drawing-room with a contemptuous laugh.