“Come in yersel’ an’ see,” he added.
“I daurna! I daurna!” she said. But she lingered about the door.
CHAPTER LXX.
THE DISCLOSURE.
When the earl saw Malcolm coming, although he was no coward, and had reason to trust his skill, yet knowing himself both in the wrong and vastly inferior in strength to his enemy, it may be pardoned him that for the next few seconds his heart doubled its beats. But of all things he must not show fear before Florimel!
“What can the fellow be after now?” he said. “I must go down to him.”
“No, no; don’t go near him—he may be violent,” objected Florimel, and laid her hand on his arm with a beseeching look in her face. “He is a dangerous man.”
Liftore laughed.
“Stop here till I return,” he said, and left the room.
But Florimel followed, fearful of what might happen, and enraged with her brother.
Malcolm’s brief detention by Lizzy gave Liftore a little advantage, for just as Malcolm approached the top of the great staircase, Liftore gained it. Hastening to secure the command of the position, and resolved to shun all parley, he stood ready to strike. Malcolm, however, caught sight of him and his attitude in time, and, fearful of breaking his word to Lizzy, pulled himself up abruptly a few steps from the top—just as Florimel appeared.