I jumped up from the table, rang for Rose, and told her to bring me my fur cloak.

He remained in his chair leering at me curiously.

When I had the fur on my shoulders and the girl had gone out of the room I gave him the surprise of his life.

'Take yourself off instantly,' I said.

'Go trample on the poor if you like but never dare speak to me again.' At this he leaned his head on his arm and sat so long at the table shading his eyes with his hand that I had to ask, calmly--you know--whether he wanted me to have him turned out into the corridor.