“The old seizure,” he said, after a few minutes; and then he beckoned to McCray to help him.
“Gude-sake, sir, it’s a sair nicht!” exclaimed the old steward, after a few minutes. “Ye maun let me go; for at the glint I got just noo through the open door, there’s something wrang wi’ my Laird Maudlaine and Mr Brace; and this is no time for mair troubles.”
“Go, in the name of all that’s sensible!” said the doctor, “and ask them if they are mad. Why, they’re scuffling already!”
Dr Challen was wrong; for though Lord Maudlaine had followed the young man and his father to the hall, and had gazed at Brace with a look in which bitterness, disappointment, and hatred struggled for mastery, he spoke no word, till suddenly the glass door was opened, and two men entered, one pressing right to the back, the other stepping in front of his lordship.
“Our orders were, my lord, to take you as you left the church to-morrow morning,” said the latter; “but as it seems there’ll be no church-work, why, we do it now, unless, of course, your lordship’s prepared with the stiff.”
With a fierce oath, Lord Maudlaine started back; but the man was as active.
“Suit of Lewis Braham, m’ lord, as I dare say you know—eight thousand four hundred and forty-five pounds six and eightpence. Does your lordship pay?”
“Surely this is not necessary on a night like this!” exclaimed Brace, indignantly; and taking the sheriff’s officer by the arm, he swung him away.
“Don’t resist the law, sir,” exclaimed the man, in the well-known words; and the next minute the two officers had hurried their capture to a fly waiting at the door; and the next morning Viscount Maudlaine was on his way to durance vile.