Part 64 (1/2)
It was after his own more picturesque fas.h.i.+on, however, that he recounted the tale of Lord Gernon.
As the last words left his lips, Lady Florimel gave a startled cry, seized him by the arm, and crept close to him. The marquis jumped to his feet, knocked his head against the rock, uttered an oath, and sat down again.
”What ails ye, my leddy!” said Malcolm. ”There's naething here to hurt ye.”
”I saw a face,” she said, ”a white face!”
”Whaur?”
”Beyond you a little way--near the ground,” she answered, in a tremulous whisper.
”It's as dark's pick!” said Malcolm, as if thinking it to himself.
--He knew well enough that it must be the laird or Phemy, but he was anxious the marquis should not learn the secret of the laird's refuge.
”I saw a face anyhow,” said Florimel. ”It gleamed white for one moment, and then vanished.”
”I wonner ye didna cry oot waur, my leddy,” said Malcolm, peering into the darkness.
”I was too frightened. It looked so ghastly!--not more than a foot from the ground.”
”Cud it hae been a flash, like, frae yer ain een ?”
”No I am sure it was a face.”
”How much is there of this cursed hole?” asked the marquis; rubbing the top of his head.
”A heap,” answered Malcolm. ”The grun' gangs down like a brae ahin'
's, intil a--”
”You don't mean right behind us?” cried the marquis.
”Nae jist doss, my lord. We're sittin' i' the mou' o' 't, like, wi'
the thrapple (throat) o' 't ahin' 's, an' a muckle stamach ayont that.”
”I hope there's no danger,” said the marquis.
”Nane 'at I ken o'.”
”No water at the bottom ?”
”Nane, my lord--that is, naething but a bonny spring i' the rock side.”
”Come away, papa!” cried Florimel. ”I don't like it. I've had enough of this kind of thing.”
”Nonsense!” said the marquis, still rubbing his head.
”Ye wad spile a', my leddy! It's ower late, forbye,” said Malcolm; ”I hear a fut.”
He rose and peeped out, but drew back instantly, saying in a whisper:
”It's Mistress Catanach wi' a lantren! Haud yer tongue, my bonny leddy; ye ken weel she's no mowse. Dinna try to leuk, my lord; she micht get a glimp o' ye--she's terrible gleg. I hae been hearin'