“I scarcely thought you would. Only you hold such grand ideas about self-denial, that I thought it might be agreeable to you to have an opportunity of exercising the virtue at a small expense and a great advantage.”
Malcolm was miserable. Who could have dreamed to find in her such a woman of the world! He must break off the hopeless interview.
“Then, my lady,” he said, “I suppose I am to give my chief attention to Kelpie, and things are to be as they have been.”
“For the present. And as to this last piece of presumption, I will so far forgive you as to take the proceeding on myself—mainly because it would have been my very choice had you submitted it to me. There is nothing I should have preferred to a sea-voyage and returning to Lossie at this time of the year. But you also must be silent on your insufferable share in the business. And for the other matter, the least arrogance or assumption I shall consider to absolve me at once from all obligation towards you of any sort. Such relationships are never acknowledged.”
“Thank you—sister,” said Malcolm—a last forlorn experiment; and as he said the word he looked lovingly in her eyes.
She drew herself up like the princess Lucifera, “with loftie eyes, halfe loth to looke so lowe,” and said, cold as ice,
“If once I hear that word on your lips again, as between you and me, Malcolm, I shall that very moment discharge you from my service, as for a misdemeanour. You have no claim upon me, and the world will not blame me.”
“Certainly not, my lady. I beg your pardon. But there is one who perhaps will blame you a little.”
“I know what you mean; but I don’t pretend to any of your religious motives. When I do, then you may bring them to bear upon me.”
“I was not so foolish as you think me, my lady. I merely imagined you might be as far on as a Chinaman,” said Malcolm, with a poor attempt at a smile.