"How can there be any business in the world half so important to _me_ as seeing my boy once more before he sails ?" The colour of Sir Timothy's ruddy face deepened almost to purple, his grey eyes glowered sullen resentment at his wife.
"Since you desire to have your way in opposition to my wishes, _go!_" he thundered.

"I will not hinder you further." But his sonorous wrath was too familiar to be impressive.
Lady Mary's expression scarcely changed when Sir Timothy raised his voice.

She turned, however, at the foot of the staircase, and spoke to him again.
"Let me just go and give the order for my things to be packed, Timothy, and tell Ash to go and find out about the trains, and I will return and listen to whatever you wish--I will, indeed.

I could not pay proper attention to anything until I knew that was being done." Sir Timothy did not trust himself to speak.

He bowed his head, and the slender figure passed swiftly up the stairs.
Sir Timothy walked twice deliberately up and down the empty hall, and felt his pulse.