All immediately departed except Tabitha Tabs, who went boldly and placed herself beside her young mistress as a tower of strength.
“Follow your fellow-servants, woman,” commenced the doctor.
“When my young lady orders me to do so, sir,” replied Tabitha, coldly.
Eudora’s left hand was clenched in that of Malcolm Montrose, and she threw out her right hand and grasped that of her humble attendant, exclaiming eagerly:
“Oh, no, no, no, do not leave me, good Tabitha!” For she felt almost safe between the two.
“Not till they tears me away piecemeal with pincers, Miss! for I reckon I’m too big to be forced away all at once,” replied Tabitha, violently, drawing up her large person, and looking defiance from her resolute eyes.
“Officers, remove that contumacious girl from the room,” said the doctor angrily.
The two constables stepped forward to obey, but Malcolm Montrose dropped the hand of Eudora and confronted them, saying:
“On your peril!”
Then turning to the enraged physician, he said: