She reminded Mr.Caryll of nothing so much as a vulture.
"Had ye forgotten that?
Have ye no thought for decency--no respect for your wife ?" Her strident voice was echoing through the house and drawing a little crowd of gaping servants to the hall.

To spare Mistress Winthrop, Mr.
Caryll took it upon himself to close the door.

The countess turned at the sound.
"Who is this ?" she asked, measuring the elegant figure with an evil eye.
And Mr.Caryll felt it in his bones that she had done him the honor to dislike him at sight.
"It is a gentleman who--who--" His lordship thought it better, apparently, not to explain the exact circumstances under which he had met the gentleman.

He shifted ground.

"I was about to present him, my love.