"I trust I may keep my counsel in a matter which comes so close to me." "Yes, truly," replied Mary Connynge, "if you had set your heart upon a kindly answer." "What! You mean, then, that she--" "Do you promise ?" The brows of Law settled deeper and deeper into the frown which marked him when he was perturbed.

The blood, settled back, now slowly mounted again into his face, the resentful, fighting blood of the Highlander.
"I promise," he cried.

"And now, tell me what answer had the Lady Catharine Knollys." "She declined to answer," said Mary Connynge, slowly and evenly.
"Declined to come.

She said that she was ill enough pleased to hear of your brawling.

Said that she doubted not the law would punish you, nor doubted that the law was just." John Law half whirled upon his heel, smote his hands together and laughed loud and bitterly.
"Madam," said he, "I had never thought to say it to a woman, but in very justice I must tell you that I see quite through this shallow falsehood." "Sir," said Mary Connynge, her hands clutching at the arms of her chair, "this is unusual speech to a lady!" "But your story, Madam, is most unusual." "Tell me, then, why should I be here ?" burst out the girl.