Marjorie Bowen

“ So Breadalbane was with her! Delia's heart sank; she wished she could warn Jerome and her brother, but she was too confused to invent a decent excuse for leaving the room, and as she stood trying to collect herself to some definite plan of action the Countess crossed over to the fire and took off her hat.
"Canna we remove that vile brewis?" she said. "The smell will make my lord sick."
Delia gave a thin hysterical laugh.
"’Tis all there is in the house belike," she answered.
But the Countess Peggy's keen eyes had marked other food about the room, bacon, flour, fruit and fowls. ”

“ Jerome Caryl, following out his thoughts, spoke again.
"I have Hamilton and Athol—I nearly had Argyll—but he is too fearful—Breadalbane is too cunning to commit himself—of course there are Montgomery and Cranford—and in England I am sure of Marlborough, Cornbury, Rochester and Godolphin—but I need others—there are the common names whose weight is little—whose honor is cheapened with much false swearing."
Delia responded to the disdain in his even voice:
"That there should be so many traitors!" she cried impulsively. "Sometimes I loathe them all." ”

“ From the dark figure at her side came her brother's practical voice.
"If you could get Devonshire, Halifax and Dorset, Jerome," he said, "it were enough. Shrewsbury, too..."
"Ah!" said Jerome softly. "Be careful—even on the open road."
Again they pressed on in silence; the snow fell thickly, their hands were numb upon the bridles, and Delia felt her limbs ache with cold.
"We shall not reach Carlisle to-night," said Jerome suddenly. "You see those lights ahead, Perseus? 'tis an inn—I remember it; a rough place, but we will stop there." ”