I was quite frightened;-I made no answer;-I even attempted to rise, and could not, but sat still, mute and motionless.
Everybody but Miss Mirvan seemed in the utmost astonishment; and the Captain rising and approaching Madame Duval, with a voice of authority, said, "Why, how now, Mrs. Turkey-cock, what's put you into this here fluster?"
"It's nothing to you," answered she, "so you may as well hold your tongue; for I shan't be called to no account by you, I assure you."
"There you're out, Madame Fury," returned he; "for you must know, I never suffer anybody to be in a passion in my house, but myself."
"But you shall," cried she, in a great rage; "for I'll be in as great a passion as ever I please, without asking your leave: so don't give yourself no more airs about it. And as for you Miss," again advancing to me, "I order you to follow me this moment, or else I'll make you repent it all your life." And, with these words, she flung out of the room.
I was in such extreme terror, at being addressed and threatened in a manner to which I am so wholly unused, that I almost thought I should have fainted.
"Don't be alarmed, my love," cried Mrs. Mirvan, "but stay where you are, and I will follow Madame Duval, and try to bring her to reason."
Miss Mirvan took my hand, and most kindly endeavoured to raise my spirits. Sir Clement, too, approached me, with an air so interested in my distress, that I could not but feel myself obliged to him; and, taking my other hand, said, "For Heaven's sake, my dear Madam, compose yourself: surely the violence of such a wretch ought merely to move your contempt; she can have no right, I imagine, to lay her commands upon you, and I only wish that you would allow me to speak to her."
"O no! not for the world!-indeed, I believe,-I am afraid-I had better follow her."
"Follow her! Good God, my dear Miss Anville, would you trust yourself with a mad woman? for what else can you call a creature whose passions are so insolent? No, no; send her word at once to leave the house, and tell her you desire that she will never see you again."
"O, Sir! you don't know who you talk of!-it would ill become me to send Madame Duval such a message."