He walked up and down the room for a few moments plunged in deep thought. All at once his face brightened.
“I have thought o’ a scheme, lassie,” he said suddenly. “Let Lady Nancy take this long cloak of yours; ’twill cover her o’er entirely; then she can walk boldly out past her father; he will think ’tis ye, Mary, and will na’ stop her. Ye’re both of a height,” and he regarded her with anxious eyes.
“Why should I help her?” said Mary, her heart still heavy and sore.
“For Robbie’s sake,” pleaded John. “Her father will blame the lad for it all; perhaps he will shoot him, and he an innocent man. Why, lassie, he doesna’ even ken the lass is in the house.”
“Doesna’ ken it?” repeated Mary, smiling incredulously. “Why, John, Robert isna’ blind. If she is in his room——”
“But she isna’ in his room, Mary,” interrupted John. “She’s in there, scared to death,” and he pointed to the door opposite.
“Oh!” comprehended Mary with a sigh of relief. “That’s different. I’ll help her noo, John,” and she jumped eagerly to her feet, her face flushed and earnest.
“That’s the girlie,” replied John heartily. Going to the door, he opened it and whispered to Lady Nancy to come out.
“Lud, I thought you were never coming,” she flashed as she hastily entered the room. She stopped short upon seeing Mary.
“This lady will help ye get away,” said John, looking angrily at the bogus Lady Nancy.