"May I give the man his orders ?" he respectfully inquired of his aunt.
"Give him anything you like, and have done with it!" retorted the irritable old lady, getting briskly on her feet, and taking a turn in the room to compose herself.
The servant withdrew, with orders to show the visitor in.
Horace crossed the room at the same time--apparently with the intention of leaving it by the door at the opposite end.
"You are not going away ?" exclaimed Lady Janet.
"I see no use in my remaining here," replied Horace, not very graciously.
"In that case," retorted Lady Janet, "remain here because I wish it." "Certainly--if you wish it.

Only remember," he added, more obstinately than ever, "that I differ entirely from Julian's view.

In my opinion the woman has no claim on us." A passing movement of irritation escaped Julian for the first time.
"Don't be hard, Horace," he said, sharply.

"All women have a claim on us." They had unconsciously gathered together, in the heat of the little debate, turning their backs on the library door.

At the last words of the reproof administered by Julian to Horace, their attention was recalled to passing events by the slight noise produced by the opening and closing of the door.