Part 65 (2/2)
Malcolm replaced the infant in his mother's arm, and strode towards the house. Imagining he went to avenge her wrongs, Lizzy ran after him.
”Ma'colm Ma'colm!” she cried; ”--for my sake!--He's the father o' my bairn!”
Malcolm turned.
”Lizzy,” he said solemnly, ”I winna lay han' upon 'im.”
Lizzy pressed her child closer with a throb of relief.
”Come in yersel' an' see,” he added.
”I daurna! I daurna!” she said. But she lingered about the door.
CHAPTER LXX: THE DISCLOSURE
When the earl saw Malcolm coming, although he was no coward, and had reason to trust his skill, yet knowing himself both in the wrong and vastly inferior in strength to his enemy, it may be pardoned him that for the next few seconds his heart doubled its beats. But of all things he must not show fear before Florimel!
”What can the fellow be after now?” he said. ”I must go down to him.”
”No, no; don't go near him--he may be violent,” objected Florimel, and laid her hand on his arm with a beseeching look in her face.
”He is a dangerous man.”
Liftore laughed.
”Stop here till I return,” he said, and left the room.
But Florimel followed, fearful of what might happen, and enraged with her brother.
Malcolm's brief detention by Lizzy gave Liftore a little advantage, for just as Malcolm approached the top of the great staircase, Liftore gained it. Hastening to secure the command of the position, and resolved to shun all parley, he stood ready to strike. Malcolm, however, caught sight of him and his att.i.tude in time, and, fearful of breaking his word to Lizzy, pulled himself up abruptly a few steps from the top--just as Florimel appeared.
”MacPhail,” she said, sweeping to the stair like an indignant G.o.ddess, ”I discharge you from my service. Leave the house instantly.”
Malcolm turned, flew down, and ran to the servants' stair half the length of the house away. As he crossed the servants' hall he saw Rose. She was the only one in the house except Clementina to whom he could look for help.
”Come after me, Rose,” he said without stopping.
She followed instantly, as fast as she could run, and saw him enter the drawing room. Florimel and Liftore were there. The earl had Florimel's hand in his.
”For G.o.d's sake, my lady!” cried Malcolm, ”hear me one word before you promise that man anything.”
His lords.h.i.+p started back from Florimel, and turned upon Malcolm in a fury. But he had not now the advantage of the stair, and hesitated. Florimel's eyes dilated with wrath.
”I tell you for the last time, my lady,” said Malcolm, ”if you marry that man, you will marry a liar and a scoundrel.”
Liftore laughed, and his imitation of scorn was wonderfully successful, for he felt sure of Florimel, now that she had thus taken his part.
”Shall I ring for the servants, Lady Lossie, to put the fellow out?” he said. ”The man is as mad as a March hare.”
<script>