A Song of a Single Note: A Love Story
"When?" 

"Last night." 

"Why did you not send me word last night? Neil would have come." 

"Neil was arrested, and also my dear old grandfather. It is shameful! shameful!" 

"What was Harry doing at your landing?" 

"I don't know. I was in my room. I was half-undressed, combing my hair out when grandmother rushed to me with the news. It is not my fault, Agnes." 

"Did you ever meet Harry at your landing, Maria?" 

"Only twice, both times in the daylight. He was passing and happened to see me. There was no tryst between us; and I know nothing about last night, except——" 

"Except what?" 

"That if you had given him a chance to say 'Goodbye' to me here, he would not have thought of stopping at our landing; but," she added in a weary voice, "you were watching for Uncle Neil, and so, of course, you forgot other people." 

"Don't be cruel, Maria, as well as unjust." 

"All the same, it is the truth." 

"How was he discovered? You surely know that?" 

"No, I do not. There were at least ten or twelve soldiers—Highlanders. One of them struck Harry." 

"Oh, why do you tell me? Who could have betrayed him? Macpherson? You know you offended him." 

"It could not be Macpherson. He never saw Harry before. He knew nothing about him. He thought his name was Deane. If it had been Macpherson, your landing, not ours, would have been watched." 

"No; for he saw you and Harry coming through the garden hand-in-hand. I am sure he did. He went away in a fit of jealousy, and he would think of your landing as well as ours. But all that is nothing. We have but a few hours in which to try and save his life. I must awake father and tell him. It will break his 
 Prev. P 83/224 next 
Back Top
Privacy Statement Terms of Service Contact