"It was distressing to me," said he at length; "but it could not be."

At this, Edith felt inexpressibly galled, but for the time restrained
herself.

"Perhaps you would have been pleased," said she, "if I had gone away
with her."

"Oh no," said Wiggins, dreamily--"oh no."

"I thought for a time of doing so," said Edith; "and in that case I
should have come to-morrow, or as soon as possible, with the officers of
the law, to reply to your orders."

At this Wiggins looked at her with a strange and solemn glance, which
puzzled Edith.

"You would have regretted it," said he, "eventually."

"Few would have done as I did," said Edith, "in coming here alone."

"You did right," said Wiggins.

"At the same time," said Edith, firmly, "if I have forborne once, I
assure you I shall not do so again. You are in a wrong course
altogether. I shall put an end to this at once. And I tell you now that
this place must be made ready for Miss Plympton tomorrow. I will have
that brutal porter dismissed at once. As to yourself and the
housekeeper, I need say nothing just now."