Page:The Family Legend.pdf/108

Fairly and freely won, than brightest dame
That e'er in stately bower or regal hall
In graceful beauty shone, gain'd by such wrong—
By such base treachery as you have glanced at.
These are plain words: then treat me like a man,
Who hath been wont the manly truth to speak.

ARGYLL.

Ha! now thy countenance and tone again

Are John of Lorne's. That look, and whispering voice,
So strange appear'd, in truth I liked it not.
Give me thy hand.—Where is the stranger dame?
If she in trouble be———

LORNE, (aside.)

Make these withdraw.

And I will lead her hither.

(Exit, while the Earl waves his hand, and Dugald and attendants, &c. go out: presently re-enter Lorne, leading in Helen, covered closely up in a mantle.)

LORNE.

This is the dame, who, houseless and deserted,

Seeks shelter here, nor fears to be rejected.