“It means, ma’am, that I have something to say to you.”
“Apparently, something that can’t be said with common civility? Be as rude as you please; I am well used to it.”
“Since you have lived at Mount Morven,” he proceeded, “I think you have found me, on the whole, an easy man to get on with. At the same time, when I do make up my mind to be master in my own house, I _am_ master.”
Mrs. Presty crossed her hands placidly on her lap, and asked: “Master of what?”
“Master of your suspicions of Miss Westerfield. You are free, of course, to think of her and of me as you please. What I forbid is the expression of your thoughts--either by way of hints to my brother, or officious communications with my wife. Don’t suppose that I am afraid of the truth. Mrs. Linley shall know more than you think for, and shall know it to-morrow; not from you, but from me.”
Mrs. Presty shook her head compassionately. “My good sir, surely you know me too well to think that I am to be disposed of in that easy way? Must I remind you that your wife’s mother has ‘the cunning of the devil’?”
Linley recognized his own words. “So you were listening among the trees!” he said.
“Yes; I was listening; and I have only to regret that I didn’t hear more. Let us return to our subject. I don’t trust my daughter’s interests--my much-injured daughter’s interests--in your hands. They are not clean hands, Mr. Linley. I have a duty to do; and I shall do it to-morrow.”
“No, Mrs. Presty, you won’t do it to-morrow.”
“I don’t think it necessary to answer that question. My servants will have their instructions; and I shall see myself that my orders are obeyed.”
“Thank you. I begin to understand; I am to be turned out of the house. Very well. We shall see what my daughter says.”
“You know as well as I do, Mrs. Presty, that if your daughter is forced to choose between us she will decide for her husband. You have the night before you for consideration. I have no more to say.”
Among Mrs. Presty’s merits, it is only just to reckon a capacity for making up her mind rapidly, under stress of circumstances. Before Linley had opened the door, on his way out, he was called back.
“I am shocked to trouble you again,” Mrs. Presty said, “but I don’t propose to interfere with my night’s rest by thinking about _you_. My position is perfectly clear to me, without wasting time in consideration. When a man so completely forgets what is due to the weaker sex as to threaten a woman, the woman has no alternative but to submit. You are aware that I had arranged to see my daughter to-morrow morning. I yield to brute force, sir. Tell your wife that I shall not keep my appointment. Are you satisfied?”