Robert shook hands with him, and wished him joy heartily.
'Wha wad hae thocht it, Shargar,' he added, 'that day 'at ye pat
bonnets for hose upo' Black Geordie's huves?'
The butler announced the Marquis of Boarshead. Mysie's eyes
flashed. She rose from her seat, and advanced to meet the marquis,
who entered behind the servant. He bowed and held out his hand.
Mysie retreated one step, and stood.
'Your lordship has no right to force yourself upon me. You must
have seen that I had no wish to renew the acquaintance I was unhappy
enough to form--now, thank God, many years ago.'
'Forgive me, Miss Hamilton. One word in private,' said the marquis.
'Not a word,' returned Mysie.
'Before these gentlemen, then, whom I have not the honour of
knowing, I offer you my hand.'
'To accept that offer would be to wrong myself even more than your
lordship has done.'
She went back to where Moray was standing, and stood beside him.
The evil spirit in the marquis looked out at its windows.
'You are aware, madam,' he said, 'that your reputation is in the
hand I offer you?'
'The worse for it, my lord,' returned Mysie, with a scornful smile.
'But your lordship's brother will protect it.'
'My brother!' said the marquis. 'What do you mean? I have no
brother!'
'Ye hae mair brithers than ye ken o', Lord Sandy, and I'm ane o'
them,' said Shargar.
'You are either a liar or a bastard, then,' said the marquis, who
had not been brought up in a school of which either self-restraint
or respect for women were prominent characteristics.
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