“You?” she cried, the brilliant colour deserting her cheeks. “You here?”
“As you see, madam,” I answered with a mocking bow, my heart hardening, all softer feelings deserting my breast. “No thanks to your ladyship, however, that I am not at present bound for a French prison or for that equally desirable place of residence—a Moorish galley.”
“Such being the case, sir,” she replied quickly, “why do you again venture where at a word from me my servants will arrest you?”
“Because, madam,” I answered coolly, “circumstances have arisen that no longer render your servants dangerous to me—and that also place your ladyship in a somewhat unenviable position.”
“I do not understand you, sir,” she said coldly. “And I do not know what sins I have committed that heaven should send me the degradation of again having you beneath my roof; but if you have anything to say to me, I pray you be as brief as possible.”
“Then I will come to the point, madam,” I answered calmly. “To be brief, James has been signally defeated upon the banks of the Boyne, and fled, like the craven he is, to lick the boots of his master Louis. William is in Dublin. The star of the Stuarts is set for ever!”
She could not altogether suppress a start of surprise at my words; but the next moment she had drawn herself erect and her eyes blazed with scorn.
“It is not true!” she cried passionately. “It is not true! I will not believe!” Yet her face had grown of marble whiteness.
“Madam,” I replied coolly, “that I again venture my person beneath your roof should be sufficient warrant of the truth of my words. The messenger has but just arrived in the village. More than that, in a few minutes your own steward will be here to confirm my statement.”
“Yet,” she faltered, struggling against the conviction of the truth. “But no—it is impossible! You are lying to me, sir,” she continued in a firmer tone. “There were brave men, experienced soldiers, with James. Would he be so base as to desert those who risked their lives and fortunes for him?” I shrugged my shoulders carelessly.