"
"I allow nothing unpleasant in _my_ establishment," remarked Noel
Vanstone. "I'm master--you must have noticed that already, Mr.
Bygrave--I'm master."
"No doubt of it, my dear sir. But to live morning, noon, and night in
the perpetual exercise of your authority is more like the life of a
governor of a prison than the life of a master of a household. The wear
and tear--consider the wear and tear."
"It strikes you in that light, does it?" said Noel Vanstone, soothed by
Captain Wragge's ready recognition of his authority. "I don't know that
you're not right. But I must take some steps directly. I won't be made
ridiculous--I'll send Lecount away altogether, sooner than be made
ridiculous." His color rose, and he folded his little arms fiercely.
Captain Wragge's artfully irritating explanation had awakened that
dormant suspicion of his housekeeper's influence over him which
habitually lay hidden in his mind, and which Mrs. Lecount was now not
present to charm back to repose as usual. "What must Miss Bygrave think
of me!" he exclaimed, with a sudden outburst of vexation. "I'll send
Lecount away. Damme, I'll send Lecount away on the spot!"
"No, no, no!" said the captain, whose interest it was to avoid driving
Mrs.
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