“It is no’ the truth,” she said, “all hav’na’.”
“Ah?” said Delia with her heart beating fast. “And who are the unhappy rebels?”
There was a little pause before Lady Breadalbane answered:
“The Macdonalds o’ Glencoe for one. They have na’ taken the oaths.”
Delia saw the red and shadowy room spin round her and felt the blood hammering in her temples; before she left Glasgow she had been assured that the Macdonalds had come in with the other clans; she had never questioned it; it was such an unlikely thing they, of all, should remain obstinate; she moistened her lips and tried to frame some reply; she was saved by Jerome Caryl opening the door.
“I have engaged another chamber, Miss Delia,” he said. “We need not intrude on you, my lady.”
He inclined his head toward the Countess.
Delia felt a throb of relief to hear he had discovered the guest’s quality, and hastened toward him.
“Hae ye seen my lord?” asked the Countess calmly.
“Yes, madam, he hath the only habitable room up-stairs,” answered Jerome, “but he hath most generously surrendered it to Miss Delia.”