She walked up to him with confidence.
"You shall have an explanation, my lord," she said, "such as shall
be my full quittance for intrusion even at this untimely hour of
the night."
"Say on then," returned his lordship.
"Send that boy away then, my lord."
"I prefer having him stay," said the marquis.
"Not a word shall cross my lips till he's gone," persisted Mrs
Catanach. "I know him too well! Awa' wi' ye, ye deil's buckie!"
she continued, turning to Malcolm; "I ken mair aboot ye nor ye ken
aboot yersel', an' deil hae't I ken o' guid to you or yours! But
I s' gar ye lauch o' the wrang side o' your mou' yet, my man."
Malcolm, who had seated himself on the threshold, only laughed and
looked reference to his master.
"Your lordship was never in the way of being frightened at a woman,"
said Mrs Catanach, with an ugly expression of insinuation.
The marquis shrugged his shoulders.
"That depends," he said. Then turning to Malcolm, "Go along," he
added; "only keep within call. I may want you."
"Nane o' yer hearkenin' at the keye hole, though, or I s' lug mark
ye, ye--!" said Mrs Catanach, finishing the sentence none the more
mildly that she did it only in her heart.
"I wadna hae ye believe a' 'at she says, my lord," said Malcolm,
with a significant smile, as he turned to creep away.
He closed the door behind him, and lest Mrs Catanach should
repossess herself of the key, drew it from the lock, and, removing
a few yards, sat down in the passage by his own door.
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