Marjorie Bowen

“ Lord Stair turned to her with a swift fierceness.
"This is a woman's paltriness," he cried. "To do the thing and lament it—I had liked you better if you had led the mob you have incited instead of this—"
"I would not have them kill you," she murmured.
"Oh, get up from your knees," he said, scornful. "You are true neither to your love nor to your hate! Get back to your kind and carry through what you have begun."
There was a confused distant sound without.
"They are coming!" shrieked Delia. ”

“ With fallen hair and the red light over her from head to foot, she ran to the door; he followed. The door was burning, the oak stair threatened; flames were already showing in the hall.
Delia wrung her hands, shrieking and moaning to herself, calling on the living and the dead in her distraction; she ran a little way down the wide stairs, then at sight of the flaming door fell back with a scream.
"Ye should not have come," said Lord Stair.
"Your place is with those who lit the fire."
Her wild eyes lifted to his figure.
"Do you think I am afraid for myself?" she cried. ”

“ Lord Stair felt a cold hand touch his and turned to look into the face of Delia.
"For God's sake," she whispered, "for pity's sake."
He made an impatient attempt to shake her off, but she clung to his hand desperately in a frenzy of entreaty.
"It is burning—don't you see that it is burning—make haste—at the back through the garden."
The triumphant shout of the crowd as they saw the flames rise almost drowned her voice; an unnatural red glare blinding, horrible, filled the room from end to end. ”

“ For a moment the man and the animal gazed at each other, then the Earl began reascending the stairs.
"What are you going to do?" cried Delia, barring his way. "You are not going back? My God! Look how the flames are mounting—they will cut off your escape."
Lord Stair looked up at the kitten.
"It is alive," he said, "and I cannot let it burn."
"You are mad!" shrieked Delia, clinging to him. "The house has only a few minutes to stand—they have gunpowder."
He pushed her aside.
"Then get you into the garden," he answered, pointing to the library door. "There is time for that." ”

“ Lord Wharton was likely to be afraid of the night air; he pictured him with his hands in a muff seated on cushions as the coach swung through the open gates onto the country road.
Lord Stair went on his way; there were many people about, some excitement or uneasiness appeared to be abroad; he wondered grimly if the messenger from the King had arrived and if these churls mouthed his news already.
No one recognized him in his plain riding-gear; he pulled his beaver further over his eyes and turned into the main street; here the crowd was denser; many were armed ”

“ He gave a little laugh.
"’Tis a strange affection, mistress—it has done the work of hate—let go of me."
He twisted his arm free of her, his eyes shone curiously.
"I love you," she whispered in bitter agony and fell back against the wall. With no look at her he mounted the stairs; she shrieked after him, called and cried. He stopped and looked down, she was standing as he had left her, half within the library door, her way of escape was clear behind her. ”

“ Will you go to your death?"
"My life is of no moment," he said grimly, "I shall not leave mourners—"
She caught hold of him anew.
"I love you, I love you, and you shall not leave me. I love you—I love you." ”

“ The door was suddenly burst open and the solitary servant rushed in.
"My lord, my lord! they arc certainly going to destroy us! They have gunpowder with them."
"Save yourself," interrupted Lord Stair,—he took a purse from his pocket and tossed it across the room.
The man groped for it in the shadows.
"There is Lumley's, the jewelers in the Cannon Gate my lord—he is under great obligations to your lordship—if you would take shelter there."
"You are a good fellow," said the Earl. "Go to Lumley—I may follow—the horses are in safety?" ”

“ His mansion was in complete darkness as he rode into the courtyard; it was with a sense of relief that he noticed the empty streets before it, the mob had not gathered yet.
No servant came forward to take his horse; he left the tired animal and entered the house. ”