Beauchamp asked her if she had brought servants with her; and it gratified her to see that he was no actor fitted to carry a scene through in virtue’s name and vice’s mask with this actress.

She replied, ’I have brought a man and a maid-servant.  The establishment will be in town the day after tomorrow, in time for my lord’s return from the Castle.’

‘You can have them up to-morrow morning.’

‘I could,’ Rosamund admitted the possibility.  Her idolatry of him was tried on hearing him press the hospitality of the house upon Madame de Rouaillout, and observing the lady’s transparent feint of a reluctant yielding.  For the voluble Frenchwoman scarcely found a word to utter:  she protested languidly that she preferred the independence of her hotel, and fluttered a singular look at him, as if overcome by his vehement determination to have her in the house.  Undoubtedly she had a taking face and style.  His infatuation, nevertheless, appeared to Rosamund utter dementedness, considering this woman’s position, and Cecilia Halkett’s beauty and wealth, and that the house was no longer at his disposal.  He was really distracted, to judge by his forehead, or else he was over-acting his part.

The absence of a cook in the house, Rosamund remarked, must prevent her from seconding Captain Beauchamp’s invitation.

He turned on her witheringly.  ’The telegraph will do that.  You’re in London; cooks can be had by dozens.  Madame de Rouaillout is alone here; she has come to see a little of England, and you will do the honours of the house.’

‘M. le marquis is not in London?’ said Rosamund, disregarding the dumb imprecation she saw on Beauchamp’s features.

‘No, madame, my husband is not in London,’ Renee rejoined collectedly.

‘See to the necessary comforts of the house instantly,’ said Beauchamp, and telling Renee, without listening to her, that he had to issue orders, he led Rosamund, who was out of breath at the effrontery of the pair, toward the door.  ’Are you blind, ma’am?  Have you gone foolish?  What should I have sent for you for, but to protect her?  I see your mind; and off with the prude, pray!  Madame will have my room; clear away every sign of me there.  I sleep out; I can find a bed anywhere.  And bolt and chain the house-door to-night against Cecil Baskelett; he informs me that he has taken possession.’

Rosamund’s countenance had become less austere.

‘Captain Baskelett!’ she exclaimed, leaning to Beauchamp’s views on the side of her animosity to Cecil; ’he has been promised by his uncle the use of a set of rooms during the year, when the mistress of the house is not in occupation.  I stipulated expressly that he was to see you and suit himself to your convenience, and to let me hear that you and he had agreed to an arrangement, before he entered the house.  He has no right to be here, and I shall have no hesitation in locking him out.’