Barbara and Zillah, with their mother, remained in the drawing room.

On opening the door to which he had been directed, Marsh found Madeline bent over a book.

She raised her eyes carelessly, and said: "Oh, I hoped it was Barbara." "I will tell her at once that you wish to speak to her." "Don't trouble." "No trouble at all." He turned away, and at once Madeline rose impatiently from her chair, speaking with peremptory accent.
"Please do as I request you! Come and sit down." Marsh obeyed, and more than obeyed.

He kicked a stool close to her, dropped upon it with one leg curled underneath him, and leaned his head against her shoulder.

Madeline remained passive, her features still showing the resentment his manner had provoked.
"I've come all this way just to see you, Mad, when I've no right to be here at all." "Why no right ?" "I told you to prepare yourself for bad news." "That's a very annoying habit of yours.