So she dropped another courtesy, and sneaked away to the kitchen, with short, noiseless steps, and heard Mr.Dangerfield shut the door sharply.
His servants were afraid of him.

They could not quite comprehend him.
They knew it was vain trying to deceive him, and had quite given up lying and prevaricating.

Neither would he stand much talking.

When they prattled he brought them to the point sternly; and whenever a real anxiety rested on his mind he became pretty nearly diabolical.

On the whole, however, they had a strange sort of liking for him.