“Well, you know something of my history:
what would you have me do now? At once, I mean.
What would the person you speak of have me do?”
“That is not for me to say, my lord.”
“You could give me a hint.”
“No. God is telling you himself. For
me to presume to tell you, would be to interfere with
him. What he would have a man do, he lets him
know in his mind.”
“But what if I had not made up my mind before
the last came?”
“Then I fear he would say to you—’Depart
from me, thou worker of iniquity.’”
“That would be hard when another minute might
have done it.”
“If another minute would have done it, you would
have had it.”
A paroxysm of pain followed, during which Mr Graham
silently left him.
When the fit was over, and he found Mr Graham was
gone, he asked Malcolm, who had resumed his watch,
how long it would take Lady Florimel to come from
Edinburgh.
“Mr Crathie left wi’ fower horses frae
the Lossie Airms last nicht, my lord,” said
Malcolm; “but the ro’ds are ill, an’
she winna be here afore sometime the morn.”
The marquis stared aghast: they had sent for
her without his orders.
“What shall I do?” he murmured. “If
once I look in her eyes, I shall be damned. Malcolm!”
“Yes, my lord!”
“Is there a lawyer in Portlossie?”
“Yes, my lord; there ’s auld Maister Carmichael.”
“He won’t do! He was my brother’s
rascal. Is there no one besides?”
“No in Portlossie, my lord. There can be
nane nearer than Duff Harbour, I doobt.”
“Take the chariot and bring him here directly.
Tell them to put four horses to. Stokes can ride
one.”
“I’ll ride the ither, my lord.”
“You’ll do nothing of the kind: you’re
not used to the pole.”
“I can tak the leader, my lord.”
“I tell you you’re to do nothing of the
kind!” cried the marquis angrily. “You’re
to ride inside, and bring Mr—what’s
his name? back with you.”
“Soutar, my lord, gien ye please.”
“Be off, then. Don’t wait to feed.
The brutes have been eating all day, and they can
eat all night. You must have him here in an hour.”
In an hour and a quarter, Miss Horn’s friend
stood by the marquis’s bedside. Malcolm
was dismissed, but was presently summoned again to
receive more orders.
Fresh horses were put to the chariot, and he had to
set out once more—this time to fetch a
justice of the peace, a neighbour laird. The
distance was greater than to Duff Harbour; the roads
were worse; the north wind, rising as they went, blew
against them as they returned, increasing to a violent
gale; and it was late before they reached Lossie House.
When Malcolm entered, he found the marquis alone.
“Is Morrison here at last?” he cried in
a feeble, irritated voice.
