THE LAMP IS BLOWN OUT The door of Margaret Douglas's chamber still stood open, and Sholto found Earl William seated upon the foot of the bed, endeavouring by every means in his power to distract his sister's attention from her fears.

Maud Lindesay, now more completely dressed than when he had first seen her, sat on the other side of the little lady's couch.

She was laughing as he entered at some merry jest of the Earl's.

And at the sound of her tinkling mirth Sholto's heart sank within him.

So soon as she caught sight of the new captain of the guard the gladness left her face, and she became grave and sober, like a gossip long unconfessed when the holy father comes knocking at the door.
At sight of her emotion Sholto resolved that if his fears should prove to be well founded, he would resign his honourable office.