“Put your mark to this,” she answered hoarsely, “to prove ye believe that my lord is guiltless of this—”
“Ah!” burst out Delia, “is not Glenlyon your husband’s man?”
“Silence!” commanded the Countess. “I speak to him—”
“What has he to gain from you that his last act should be to testify to a lie?”
“It is no lie—this is government work not ours!”
Delia raised flashing eyes.
“Then if Breadalbane is innocent—wherefore do ye trouble?” she cried.
“That he may prove to all the world the Macdonalds hold him guiltless—Ronald—will ye put your mark.”
“No,” said Delia. “She asks too much—by Heaven, too much!”
“Ronald—I will kiss thee,” breathed the Countess. “I will put my arms about thee—hold thee even as she does—to my bosom—so thou mark’st this.”