“Indeed he has,” echoed Eppy, nodding her head briskly. “I mean to stick to mine.”
Lord Glencairn turned and looked searchingly at Robert’s pale, gloomy face. “Is that true, Robert?” he asked gently.
Robert did not reply. He seemed not to hear, in fact.
“’Tis a most serious charge, Mr. Burns,” remarked Mr. Sterne gravely.
“If it be true,” retorted Mr. Mackenzie loyally.
“Which is not at all likely,” flashed Eppy indignantly.
She would believe nothing wrong of her hero, even if it were proven in black and white.
“But listen!” continued Sir William eagerly. He scanned the article through quickly until he found what he sought. “Ah, here it is. It is stated here that Mr. Burns refused to stand up in the theater recently when ‘God save the King’ was being played,” and he glared about him indignantly.
A quiet sneer curled Robert’s lips. “Anything else?” he asked sarcastically. “Out wi’ it or the venom of your spleen will poison ye,” and he fixed his eyes upon Sir William with disdainful indifference.
“And there is more,” snarled Sir William. “’Tis known that ye have sent two cannon to the French Directorate with a complimentary letter, offering further assistance.”