Her glance winced under his, but she answered disdainfully:
“I told the girl that these people—whoever they are—these Macdonalds—had taken the oath.”
The Master of Stair’s face was distorted with a savagery unpleasant to look upon; he stood motionless with his hand on his hip, gazing at her.
“I would do it again,” she said. “Why should I be loyal to your blood-stained schemes?”
Her husband threw up his hand as if to shut out the sight of her.
“Keep away from me,” he cried. “For I know not what I may do.”
“Ah, you can do no more to me than you have done,” she answered. “You have—”
He suddenly caught her by the arm, checking what she would have said.
“If you spy on me,” he said breathing fast, “if you blow my affairs abroad—oh, by God, madam, you will try me beyond endurance.”
She went white and shivered, straining away.