A knock at the house door.
'Who is it?—What is it?' cried Lord Clonbrony, growing very pale.
Lord Colambre changed colour too, and ran downstairs. 'Don't let 'em let anybody in, for your life, Colambre; under any pretence,' cried Lord Clonbrony, calling from the head of the stairs; then running to the window, 'By all that's good, it's Mordicai himself! and the people with him.'
'Lean your head on me, my dear aunt,' said Miss Nugent. Lady Clonbrony leant back, trembling, and ready to faint.
'But he's walking off now; the rascal could not get in—safe for the present!' cried Lord Clonbrony, rubbing his hands, and repeating, 'safe for the present!'
'Safe for the present!' repeated Lord Colambre, coming again into the room. 'Safe for the present hour.'
'He could not get in, I suppose—oh, I warned all the servants well,' said Lord Clonbrony,' and so did Terry. Ay, there's the rascal, Mordicai, walking off, at the end of the street; I know his walk a mile off. Gad! I can breathe again. I am glad he's gone. But he will come back and always lie in wait, and some time or other, when we're off our guard (unawares), he'll slide in.'
Slide in! Oh, horrid!' cried Lady Clonbrony, sitting up, and wiping away the water which Miss Nugent had sprinkled on her face.
'Were you much alarmed?' said Lord Colambre, with a voice of tenderness, looking at his mother first, but his eyes fixing on Miss Nugent.
'Shockingly!' said Lady Clonbrony; 'I never thought it would REELLY come to this.'