Mrs. Ebley felt her anger augmenting to boiling point, but
nothing, she could say had any effect upon her niece, who remained
extremely respectful and gentle, but perfectly firm. Mrs. Ebley
could not get her to tell her anything about her acquaintance with
this dreadful foreigner. She became silent after she had refused
point blank to discuss him. At last the baffled and exasperated
older lady got up and fired her last shot.

"Words cannot express my pain and disgust at your conduct,
Stella," she said. "Putting aside all the awful suspicions I have
about this Russian, you will lay up for yourself a lifelong regret
in outraging all decency by refusing to marry that good and pure
young clergyman, Eustace Medlicott."

"I have done nothing wrong, Aunt Caroline, please do not go away
angry with me," Stella pleaded. "When Count Roumovski asks Uncle
Erasmus' and your consent to his marrying me--then I will tell you
everything about him,--but now I do not wish to. Please forgive me
for causing you pain--we shall all be very happy soon, and surely
I have a right to my life like any other person."

Mrs. Ebley would not bandy further words; their points of view
were too different.

"I regret that I am obliged to request you to keep your room and
have no communication with anyone whatever until I can consult
with your uncle and Eustace as to what is the best thing to do
with you. That we shall leave Rome immediately you may be prepared
for."