"
Kate had come out, and was leaning over the gallery. She heard the last
words, and spoke, flushing scarlet with anger.
"If I thought that my presence prevented an act of common humanity, I
would leave your house this instant, Colonel Mohun."
Ralph smiled slightly as he bent his head in courteous acknowledgment of
her interruption.
"Don't be indignant, Mrs. Carew. If you have a fancy for such an
excitement, I shall be too happy to indulge you. It is settled, then? We
back the attorney. Don't lie there, sir, looking so like a whipped
hound. You hear? You are safe for the present." He had hardly finished,
when there came a rustling of feet outside, then hurried whispers, then
a knock, and a summons.
"We'd like to spake wid the curnel, av ye plase."
"I am here; what do ye want?" Mohun growled.
"We want the 'torney. We know he's widin."
"Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. It's not my fancy to give him
up. I wouldn't turn out a badger to you, let alone a man."
You see, he took the high moral ground now.
"Then we'll have him out in spite of yez," two or three voices cried out
together.
"Try it," Ralph said. "Meantime I am going to dine; good-night."
A voice that had not spoken yet was heard, with a shrill, gibing accent.
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