"No, no! you are not certain!" whispered Faustina.
"Come, come! sit close to me!" exclaimed the viscount, with fierce vehemence, drawing her towards him.
"You forget yourself! You are drunk, Malcolm!" cried Faustina, resisting his efforts.
At that moment there came a rap at the door; it was a soft, low tap, yet it startled the viscount like a thunderclap. He dropped the hand of Faustina and demanded angrily:
"Who the fiend is there?"
There was no answer, but the rap was gently repeated.
"Speak, then, can't you? Who the demon are you?" he cried.
"Why don't you tell them to come in?" said Faustina, in a displeased tone.
"Come in, then, set fire to you, whoever you are!" exclaimed Lord
Vincent.
The door was opened and old Cuthbert softly entered.