No doubt, in good sense and justice, the house was Joan's too, however little the male aristocracy may be inclined to admit such a statement of rights, but there must be some one at the head of things, and, however ill he might occupy it, that place was naturally his lordship's, and he had at least a right to know who was in the house.

Huge discomfort thereupon invaded Cosmo, and a restless desire to be out of the place.

His silence frightened Joan.
"Are you very angry with me, Cosmo," she said.
"Angry! No, Joan! How could I be angry with you?
Only it makes me feel myself where I have no business to be--rather like a thief in fact." "Oh, I am so sorry! But what could I do?
You don't know my brother, or you would not wonder.

He seems to have a kind of hatred to your family!--I do not in the least know why.

Could my father have said anything about you that he misunderstood ?--But no, that could not be!--And yet my father did say he knew your house many years before!" "I don't care how Lord Mergwain regards me," said Cosmo; "what angers me is that he should behave so to you that you dare not tell him a thing.