But the bitterness of Mrs Lupex's tongue had hardly yet produced its greatest results.

I am inclined to think that the married lady would have silenced her who was single, had the fight been allowed to rage,--always presuming that no resort to grappling-irons took place.

But at this moment Mrs Roper entered the room, accompanied by her son, and both the combatants for a moment retreated.
"Amelia, what's all this ?" said Mrs Roper, trying to assume a look of agonised amazement.
"Ask Mrs Lupex," said Amelia.
"And Mrs Lupex will answer," said that lady.

"Your daughter has come in here, and attacked me--in such language--before Mr Cradell too--" "Why doesn't she pay what she owes, and leave the house ?" said Amelia.
"Hold your tongue," said her brother.

"What she owes is no affair of yours." "But it's an affair of mine, when I'm insulted by such a creature as that." "Creature!" said Mrs Lupex.