She met the furious eyes fixed on her, without shrinking; she spoke gravely and firmly.

"The letter is mine," she said.

"How did you come by it ?" "How dare you ask me ?" "How dare _you_ steal my letter ?" Mrs.Gallilee tore open the fastening of her dress at the throat, to get breath.

"You impudent bastard!" she burst out, in a frenzy of rage.
Waiting patiently at the window, Benjulia heard her.

"Hold your damned tongue!" he cried.