"'What do you want, Macdermot!' she said sullenly.
"'I want you. I dare not trust you out of my sight. I know what you are,--you are plotting mischief against me; but if you betray me I will be revenged; if I have to follow you to--for that purpose.'
"'Why do you doubt my word, Macdermot? Do you think I want to hang myself?'
"'No, not yourself, but me. You are too bad to be trusted. What were you saying just now to that boy?'
"'I told him that the captain was not at home, and I dared not lend him the gun.'
"'You were right. The gun will be wanted at home.'.
"She shuddered and turned away. It seems that she had had enough of blood, and shewed some feeling at last. I kept my eye upon her, and would not suffer her for a moment out of my sight.
"At noon the captain drove into the yard, and I went out to take the horse. Before he had time to alight, he asked for Hannah. I told him that she was out, that she went off the day before, and had not returned, but that we expected her in every minute.
"He was very much annoyed, and said that she had no business to leave the house during his absence,--that he would give her a good rating when she came home.
"Grace asked if she should get his breakfast?