Marjorie Bowen

“ A dying log on the hearth fell and broke into a shower of sparks; a gust of wind blew down the chimney.
"The Master of Stair," said Breadalbane. "Being the Secretary and a close friend of the King, he can do what he will with Scotland."
"Yet I do think he is the most hated man in the country," mused the Countess. "I did notice a fury of hate in Edinburgh against his father and him—he couldna' be more unpopular."
"I dinna care," smiled Breadalbane. "He has the power—and a fine ability. ”

“ The Countess Peggy set her wine-glass down fiercely: "Weel," she said, "’tis the end of October noo, an' they must take the oaths by January—they've been dallying for two years—but I'm no' thinking either we or the government will be taking any more."
"Lochiel and Glengarry show signs of yielding," said Colin Campbell, "though they demand, ye ken, too much of the money—and Coll a' the Cows, the ould murdering thief, he'll come in to save his ugly neck—but Macdonald of Glencoe will na'."
"I dinna think we shall be troubled as how to treat them," answered another. ”

“ He wasna' for buying the Hielands. Put the money into powder and shot, he said—and now, when we've been dealing with them for two years in vain—he says the same.
"Weel, then," she cried. "All ye have to do is to wait till after the first day of January. Then get the letters of fire and sword—and the Master of Stair will support ye."
"Both he and his father," he answered. "Both the Dalrymples. If any take the oaths, weel, they'll be within the law—but, as the King said to Balcarras—let those who stay without the law, look to it—as they must expect to be left to the law." ”

“ He fell into silence as he leaned against the heavy chimneypiece and she noticed that his delicate face had fallen into lines of weariness.
"Ye look tired, Jock," she said tenderly.
"Unlace me," he smiled. "This thing is heavy."
She came up and unstrapped his armor; as he shook himself free of it, he gave a sigh of relief.
"I shallna' need to be riding my own lands armed when the Macdonalds of Glencoe are—weel, treated as to their desserts," he remarked as he shook out his crumpled buff coat. ”

“ Her thin lips curled into a bitter smile. "I tried to sound him about this conference—ye ken—this matter my lord has on hand for quieting the Hielands—'we'll never take the oaths'—he says—'Jock Campbell's got the money in his coffers for himsel'—we may come,' he says, 'but we'll enter into no treaty with a Campbell.'"
"Puir fules," said one of the company. "They think we want them to be taking the oaths to King William?" ”

“ But they consider the new government'll need something for its money—an' if a Campbell can't quiet the Hielands—some one else can try—it's plain they're bent on ruining the negotiations out of spite to Breadalbane. ”