Marjorie Bowen

“ Lady Dalrymple folded the letter away slowly; she was not clever at reading between the lines, and fine phrasing a little confused her; but she caught the spirit of the writer; she saw that it only needed a word from her for Tom Wharton to challenge her husband on the first excuse that came. It was a curious thought; Tom Wharton had fought no duel in which he had not killed or (through good nature) disarmed his man; his perfect swordsmanship was a charm that kept men civil to him through all the offenses of his lax and lazy life, since a duel with him was death or the disgrace of mercy given ”

“ Delia uttered a hard laugh.
"’Tis the same face," she said cruelly.
The other laughed at her.
"We are well hated," she said in a changed tone. "I think he has a name well loathed—but remember, whatever he had planned against the Macdonalds, statecraft well requires it—and I have given you the power to save them."
Delia made no answer; Lady Dalrymple stood by the table, making no further attempt to speak; the silence was broken by the quiet entry of a servant.
"Sir John will see you now, madam," he said, and to Lady Dalrymple he gave a letter. ”

“ That is Viscount Stair's work—and the Earl of Breadalbane's."
"I thought so!" cried Delia fiercely. "The Viscount's work, you say! I think Sir John has had a hand in it."
"I will not discuss my husband's politics," interrupted Lady Dalrymple. "I tell you this because I would prevent an injustice and a crime. It is true, and the Macdonalds are doomed, if you can save them—do so—"
"If I can save them!" flashed Delia, "I tell you this shall be over all England to-morrow!"
Lady Dalrymple rose and came toward her.
"So you can save your friends," she said gently. "Will you not thank me a little?" ”

“ Yet she was glad that she had spoken about the Macdonalds; something she knew and something she guessed of the plans being laid for their destruction, and it had troubled her; now this girl could see to it that they were saved.
But she might have to pay the price; she remembered the Viscount's last words, "John is reckless and violent," still she was glad of what she had done.
Her glance fell to Mr. Wharton's letter; she broke the seal and opened it; spread it out in the fading light of the winter afternoon and read:
January 10, 1692. ”

“ If any fancied affront irks him, he knows how to obtain satisfaction, and I trust that he will either take this course or meet me with the courtesy that I shall always be ready to offer him and that you will not suffer his whim to interrupt a friendship that I have the vanity to believe is not displeasing to you, and is the greatest of honors to your ladyship's humble servant,
Thomas Wharton. ”

“ You ask me to no longer attend you at your house, as Sir John speaketh of me with increased dislike and cannot bear even the mention of my name. I cannot understand that you should pay any attention to a silly prejudice unworthy of a man of sense. ”

“ Delia, standing with her hands clasped on the chair-back gazed upon her fairness with sick aversion that mounted to her brain and set her mouth into lines of cruelty. At last, with a shiver of satin, Lady Dalrymple moved and looked at the other.
"The Macdonalds have taken the oaths," she said quietly, "but it will be suppressed. ”

“ She caught the other woman's eyes on her and flushed, then broke desperately and swiftly into speech.
"I have come to discover if the Macdonalds of Glencoe have taken the oaths to the government."
"Ah," said Lady Dalrymple. "You have friends among them? These Macdonalds—who are they?"
Delia bent her head.
"I wish to know if they are safe or no from the vengeance of—the government."
Lady Dalrymple sank into her chair again, a flutter of ribbons and lace, her blue eyes held a curious look. "If they have testified allegiance, they are beyond the law," she said. "So I have heard ”