"What I say is this," interrupted Albert Fanning. "Westenra must do as she pleases. If she likes to come with us to Switzerland we shall be, I need not say, charmed; but if she prefers to stay with her ladyship"--here he gave a profound bow in the direction of Lady Thesiger--"we must submit. It is not in the bond, you know, mother, and anything outside the bond I for one debar."