Throwing open the door Lady Glencairn pointed to it dramatically, “There’s the door, Mr. Burns,” she said insolently; “do not compel me to call my servants.”
“Jezebel!” muttered Mr. Mackenzie through his clenched teeth.
“If he goes I go too,” flashed Mrs. Dunlop, casting an indignant look at her hostess.
“So will I,” echoed Eppy.
“Wait!” cried Mary vibrantly. Her silvery voice rang out above the confusion, as the guests moved about among themselves asking all sorts of inane questions, exploiting their views upon the subject—some loudly extolling Lady Glencairn’s attitude in the matter and others as stoutly defending the bard. Instantly there was an astonished hush.
“My lords and ladies,” continued Mary thrillingly, “listen to me! I tell ye that Robert Burns is innocent o’ this contemptible charge laid against him. I know it, for I was outside the window yonder an’ heard all that passed between him and her ladyship.”
“Spy!” hissed Lady Glencairn between her teeth, unheard in the hubbub of voices which had commenced again with Mary’s statement as the subject of comment, then she laughed mockingly. “How absurd,” she cried to those about her. “My dear James, let us end this scene. I will not stay here to be insulted. Come, my friends, let us retire,” and she took her husband’s arm.
“Ye shall listen to the truth, all of ye!” cried Mary resolutely. Clasping and unclasping her little hands with nervous intensity, her eyes filled with determined purpose, she faced the fickle crowd that was regarding her with such open admiration for her stanchness, her bravery. “I heard her ladyship swear to ruin Robert because he spurned her unwomanly offers of love,” she declared, with convincing earnestness.
A guilty flush reddened the creamy pallor of her ladyship’s face. “Oh, the shame of it, my lord, to be thus humiliated before my guests!” she cried, bursting into nervous tears. “Surely, my lord, you would not listen to such monstrous tales,” she pleaded.
“Oh, believe me, I speak the truth,” exclaimed Mary, a great fear in her heart as she saw the tender look Lord Glencairn bestowed upon his weeping wife.