Marjorie Bowen

“ She paused there a moment as if she had forgotten where she would go, and while she hesitated a door was opened and the Master of Stair stepped out. His wife shrank back against the wall, but he stopped and their eyes met.
He noticed her face, her fallen hair, the dust upon her dress.
"Who are you? Where have you been?" he asked, starting back.
Her side she drew herself still further away; her lips formed a half-smile; very foolish, very tragic. ”

“ The Viscount and Breadalbane laughed, but the Master of Stair peremptorily cut them short:
"My lords, let us understand each other plainly. Once the thing is resolved upon, let it be swift and sudden—better to leave it alone than bungle it."
"’Tis the only way," said Breadalbane. "No enemy will enter Glencoe save by craft."
"I did not say craft, my lord," cried the Master of Stair. ”

“ It shall be fire and sword through Glencoe. I will not have one left alive. I am glad it is winter; now is the time to maul the wretches. Those who fly into the hills will this weather perish."
Then fell a little silence, broken by Argyll.
"The world will call this a massacre, Sir John."
"Maybe, my lord," answered the Master of Stair. "Do ye repent, cousin?" flashed Breadalbane.
"No," answered Argyll uneasily. "These Macdonalds have been a plague-spot in our ands for lang enow—but—"
"We have done with 'buts'!" cried Sir John. "I am resolved these thieves shall go and they go. ”

“ They are somewhat alike, only, unfortunately, John lacks the steady purpose, that settled calm, that has brought His Majesty so far. When the keynote to a man's character is recklessness, his success may be brilliant, it will hardly be lasting. My son is absolutely reckless—you marked his allusion just now to this plot he hoped to discover?"
The Viscount twisted his wry neck with a keen look at Argyll, who stammered his reply as if it had been frightened out of him. ”

“ Argyll drummed his fingers on the table; his eyes traveled uneasily round the gorgeous flamboyant room, in an attempt to avoid the cold glance of his cousin opposite.
"The Jacobites will try to warn the Macdonalds," he said.
"They will not know that we have determined on severity," answered Sir John. "Doubtless they consider the Macdonalds came in with the rest."
"And if they do not," smiled the Viscount, "I think few Jacobites would be devoted enough to journey in this weather to the Highlands with a warning."
"No," answered his son. "I think the Jacobites are otherwise employed. ”

“ One of these she entered, catching her breath at her own footsteps. It was dusty, empty, this garret, yet it would seem as if some one had recently been there, for a candle in a silver stick stood on the window-ledge and a broken chair was drawn up under it; in one corner was a pile of boxes and some old pictures with their faces to the wall. ”