Three plays by M. Douglas Flattery: Annie Laurie, The subterfuge, The conspirators

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The Conspirators 8i

A ROMANTIC DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS AND FIVE SCENES

Act I

[Castle of Maxzvelton near Edinburgh. Time 1668 — Evening. The left of stage shows part of interior of dining room, lighted by candles {or candelabra). Right, the lawn outside Castle is shown.]

[Discover Lady Mary and Butler. Lady Mary is

reading a letter.]

Lady Mary. God keep us from harm. I wish my brother would come home and live peacefully for his few remaining days.

Butler. The master was never one to rest easily when the sword was clashing and the guns roaring. Any news, my lady?

Lady Mary. Yes, none too good. The preacher Bounce, who is in hiding on the moor, has come from Holland to get the names of the Lords and gentry to a petition.

Butler. What's that?

Lady Mary. A paper — a letter inviting William of Orange to invade England and drive James from the throne.

Butler. Oh ! Oh ! More war and bloodshed.

Lady Mary. Yes, I'm afraid so, but I have no more kin to lose in battle, none but Annie Laurie remaining.

Butler. You need not fear the battle, my lady, but the raid.

Lady Mary. Yes, yes, we all suffer in such times. But enough. The preacher will be here to-night if he can avoid the patrol, and as my brother recommends him to my care we must show him what hospitality we can.

[IcHABOD enters Right, and looking apprehensively about steals to the door and knocks. Lady Mary lo THREE PLAYS

and Butler, who have been busying themselves in the room, seem startled.^

Butler. Ho there ! What want ye at this hour ? Who are ye?

IcHABOD. A friend in distress.

Butler. Gang awa wi ye, or I'll set the dogs on ye.

IcHABOD. Open quick. There is danger about. I have a message for your lady.

Butler. Your name?

IcHABOD. Never mind my name. I come from the laird, her brother.

Lady Mary. It must be the preacher. Open.

[Butler drazvs the bolt. Enter Ichabod. Tammy is seen peeping from behind a tree up stage Right. He beckons to someone off, and man enters.]

Tammy. The game is in the cover. Mount your nag and go as if the divvle was after you. Tell his lordship to send the soldiers and I'll meet him at the Tolbooth to get the warrant. (Exit.) Off with ye.

Lady Mary. Well, sir. Your business?

IcHABOD. To crave hospitality for a few days and get your support for the good cause.

Lady Mary. The good cause?

Ichabod. Aye, my lady. The good and holy cause of Kirk and covenant. The traitor James Stuart will surely be driven into the sea, and good friends must all help.

Lady Mary. God save us, sir! I have nothing to do with such things. My age and sex must be my excuse.

Ichabod. Nor age nor sex will excuse you on the day of Judgment. Your duty to God and Country calls on you. Your station makes it necessary for you to take a stand with good people or with the Usurper.

Lady Mary. Stay here, sir, and enjoy food, drink, and bed until you can travel but I like not those papers.

Ichabod. I have tasted neither food nor drink since yesterday at sunrise, but I touch not refreshment under your roof until you declare yourself. (Staggers and grasps chair for support.)

ANNIE LAURIE ii

Lady Mary. Are you ill?

ICHABOD. Not ill, just weak for lack of food and drink.

Butler. Here, take this. It will set you up. Nothing like a wee drop of brandy to —

ICHABOD {Knocks silver cup from his hand). Brandy, do you say? Get thee behind me, Satan.

Butler. You gommeral. I'd like to throw you out with my lady's permission.

Lady Mary. Begone, James. {Exit Butler Left, scowling at Ichabod. )

IcHABOD. My lady, your good brother in Holland is dying and craves to get back to his own land to rest his weary bones. He is outlawed by James and can hope for pardon only when William is on the throne. Will you do nothing to help him ?

Lady Mary. What can I do? I am an old woman and helpless.

IcHABOD. See, here is the petition to the good William. Over one hundred nobles and gentry have signed. Your name will show where your heart is and will do no harm.

Lady Mary. But if you should be discovered and captured, what would become of us?

IcHABOD. No fear of that. The whole country is disaffected. The Council which misgoverns the country while James is carousing in London has made every man discontented with their search warrants and torture. No man's home is sacred, no woman's virtue secure, but vengeance approacheth.

Lady Mary. Hush! Even the servants are not safe. What are your plans?

Ichabod. To hide here with your permission for three days, when a boat will await me to take me on board a schooner for the Continent. These names will decide William. Inside three months he will be in London with an army, and James will be a fugitive or dead.

Lady Mary. Oh for a few years of peace and quiet !

IcHABOD. There will be no peace while James reigns. Will you sign?

Lady Mary. I suppose I must, but I fear I know not what.

[She signs. Ichabod takes paper, folds it carefully and hides it in his clothing.]

Lady Mary (touches gong. Enter Butler Left.) Show Master Bounce a room in the west tower, and lay an extra plate. Dinner will be served when you are ready, sir.

Ichabod. You won't have long to wait for me, my lady, because I am about famished. (Exit Left, following Butler.)

Lady Mary. I fear me I have done wrong in signing that paper. {Leans her head on her hand and table. Enter Annie Left.)

Annie. Grannie, are you ill? Can't I get something for you? (Puts her arm.s around Lady Mary.)

Lady Mary. My love, not ill, only weary and worried.

Annie. What worries you, grannie? Share it with me. That will lessen the burden.

Lady Mary. The preacher Bounce, whom your uncle wrote about, has arrived and he brings talk of war and plunder and raiding. Oh, God of Peace, why do you permit it?

Annie. Well, dear, it can't hurt us very much. If the armies come this way we'll stay shut up in our old castle until they pass by.

Lady Mary. Impossible, my child. They swarm the land like locusts and devour everything ; and leave nothing but destruction and ruin behind thsm. Friend and foe suffer alike. But enough, we must prepare for dinner.

Annie. Is the preacher to dine with us?

Lady Mary. Yes, dear, and run now and tell the cook not to use any brandy in her sauce for the plum pudding.

Annie. No sauce, Auntie !

Lady Mary. No brandy, dear. The preacher is a fanatic and would choke if he knew his food were flavored with whiskey or brandy.

Annie. (Laughing). I'm afraid cook will refuse to give us any dinner at all when she hears that her beautiful

pudding is to be spoilt with unflavored sauce. (Exit Left.)

[Enter Butler and Maid, Left.]

Lady Mary. Serve dinner in fifteen minutes, James. (Exit Left.)

Butler. (Right of table, who has heard same.) Yes, my lady, but it's a pity to spoil the plum pudding for the sake of that fule preacher.

Maid. (At Left of table.) Who's a-goin' to spoil the plumpuddin'? Air ye daft?

Butler. I'm na daft, but the cook will be daft when my lady tells her there's to be nae brandy on the puddin' for fear of hurtin' the susceptibeelities o' the meenister.

Maid. J hae ma doots aboot a wee drap o' brandy hurtin' his what-you-may-ca'-it. (Exit).

[Enter Cook, who places pudding on sideboard.]

Butler. Weel, Jeannie, ma girl, I'm thinkin' that the best pairt o' your plum puddin' will be missin' at the dinner.

Cook. (Up Center of table). Ye're talkin', John, but I don't get much o' your meanin'. I'm thinkin' that that's the best plum puddin' I ever made, and a' it needs is a wee drap o' brandy to gie it a flavor that will reach your shoe-straps.

Butler. (Facing sideboard and talking over his shoulder) . Ho ! ho ! brandy, is it ? And don't ye ken that the leddies decided not to have even a thimbleful? 'Tis an abomination in the eyes of the gude mon frae Holland, and would choke him. (Exit) .

Cook. And I hope it will choke the gommeral! To think of my beautiful puddin', which took me a week to make, should be spoilt. (Takes pudding up, smells it rapturously, and puts it down with a sigh. Then takes up a large jar of brandy, and take:: out the cork.) Ah! here is the stuff to mak' it perfect. I'll put on just a wee drappie — they'll never know.

[Pours a cupful of brandy on the pudding and exit Left. Enter Butler.]

Butler. I'm thinkin' a glassful will na hurt the meenister, and 'twill help the pudding.

[Poiirs a glassful of brandy on the pudding. Exit.

Enter Maid stealthily.] Maid. (Up at sideboard) . Och ! I canna rest at the thocht o' the graund pudding being spoilt. The meenister will never ken a little.

[Pours a glassful of brandy on the pudding and spills more of it in her haste, and then exit. Enter Lady Mary and Butler, Left.] Lady Mary. Lack-a-day, that a lady of the house of Maxwelton should have to creep round her own castle like a malefactor, and be afraid to entertain whatever guest she chooses — whether from Castle or Kirk. If those bloodthirsty lairds knew that the preacher were here, they'd hang him from our own doorpost before morning, and maybe give us poor ladies a turn in the cells of Edinburgh Castle. (She proceeds to arrange the table). Ah! here's the pudding. Faith! 'twill be of poor flavor without a little good brandy. But if Master Ichabod found the taste of brandy on his food, he'd choke. Well, though, 'tis a pity not to have a little, just to take the taste of the pot off it.

[Butler laughs and exit. She pours some brandy on

pudding and exit. Enter Annie, Left.] Annie. Oh, dear me! I'm afraid I'm going to do something dreadful, but cook is so angry about her pudding not being flavored, that I'm going to put just a spoonful of brandy on it.

[Goes Right Center, pours some brandy from jar, and

spills a lot on the pudding, in her nervousness when

she hears someone approaching. Enter Lady Mary

and Ichabod, followed by Butler and Maid. They

sit down to the table and Ichabod asks the blessing. ]

Ichabod. (At back of table, unctiously.) Bless ye the

food which we eat to sustain our bodies in the fight against

the cursed usurper. And bless the drink — the aqua pura —

sent by a beneficent Providence to moisten our lips, and help us to resist the cursed firewater, invented by Satan for our especial temptation. I thank thee, O Father, that this devil's drink has never passed my lips. So keep me and all of us. Amen.

[Lady Mary, Annie, Butler and Maid all show signs of embarrassment. Dinner is served, and dishes are passed. During dialogue, a patrol of the Royal Scots headed by MacKay enters by right of stage. MacKay is accompanied by his young friend, Robert Reed, and by Seargeant Weymss, second in com.m^and.'] MacKay. Sergeant, where tarries that loitering lubber who was to have joined us on the march? Sergeant. You mean the macer, sir? ■MacKay. Ay, he has the Council's warrant for this dirty work.

Sergeant. That must be he yonder by the ruins. (Goes up Right.)

Robert. He with the rapier and feather! He looks like a gentleman, but he seems to watch us.

[Enter Lord Greenock, with his cape pushed up over the lower part of his face and his hat pulled down to conceal his eyes. He is partly intoxicated.'] MacKay. So ho ! sir, good-even to ye ! You are late abroad to-night !

Greenock. At your service^ sir.

MacKay. For King or for Covenant, sir? Greenock. Tush! that's an old-fashioned test. You should have asked {Whispering.) for James II or William of Orange.

MacKay. Hush ! my Lord Greenock !

Greenock. Right, by Jove!

MacKay. By my body, it seems strange to see a Privy Councillor of His Majesty roving about like a night-hawk. Greenock. I am the best judge of my own actions. MacKay. {Proudly). Your business, my lord? Greenock. You will take particular care of the young lady — bosh — I mean the old one. They must not escape, or you shall answer to the Council. Comprenez-vous ? The young lady of Maxwelton?

MacKay. Too well, my lord. (Lord Greenock exit Right. MacKay /om.f Robert).

MacKay. Curse the Hbertine! Will he make me his cat's paw ? By Heavens ! He deserves a slash on the helmet for casting his eyes on a noble lady as he would on a bona roba. (To Sergeant.) Sergeant, surround the house.

[Soldiers are placed by JVeymss.]

Sergeant. (Speaking in a loud whisper.) Attention! No. I. You stand guard here. Remainder, Left Turn, March !

[Exit Left behind dinning room.]

Robert. What said he, MacKay? Did he speak *of Mistress Laurie?

MacKay. Yes, and to this purpose : that on the peril of our beards, the ladies must not escape — especially the fair Annie. He is a deep intriguer, and the devil only knows what he is hatching against the girl.

Robert. 'Sdeath, assure me of this, and I will follow him, and brain him with my pike.

MacKay. ( Catching him by left arm. ) Hush ! Hush ! lad, these words are dangerous. You are still a young soldier. (Laughs). Had you trailed a pike under Henry de la Tour or old Marshal Crecy, like me, you would have learnt to value a girl's tears and a granddam's groans at the same ransom. But, begad, I would give my helmet full of gold had this cursed duty fallen on someone else. [Walks up center and off Left.]

Lady Mary. And how left ye our friends?

IcHABOD. Well and strong, my Lady, and living in hope of soon striking the accursed James.

Annie. Oh ! dear me ! Are we to see more bloodshed?

ICHABOD. Ay, and it shall flow like a river, until the sins of the idolaters are washed away.

Annie. Why can't people live in peace?

IcHABOD. There shall be no peace while the scarlet woman is in ascendant. Yea, verily, I shall soon help to smite the dogs hip and thigh.

Annie. But, reverend sir, your mission is one of peace and goodwill, and it seems ill-becoming to hear words of vengeance from one of your cloth. {The pudding is served by Butler. Enter Robert and MacKay as before.)

Robert. Eh, MacKay, you were not wont to be backward !

MacKay. Never when bullets or blades are to be

encountered! But to worry a crazy old preacherj and

harry the house and barony of an ancient and honourable

lady — by all the devils, it is not work for men of honour.

{Both come down, Robert Left of MacKay.]

Robert. And Mistress Annie is a close friend and gossip of your fiancee. Mistress Lovat.

MacKay. 'Tis true! And my fairy Hilda, will give me many a tongue-wagging for this night's work.

Robert. {Bitterly.) Well, I have that advantage over you, MacKay, in that I am homeless and friendless — a nameless volunteer, uncaring and uncared for.

MacKay. Don't get a fit of the blues, old man.

Robert. I have trailed this pike for five years.

MacKay. Yes, and promotion seems to have overlooked you, although you have fought well and bled too. But, cheer up! If this rascal of Orange unfurls his banner among us, we shall have fighting — ay, faith, to which the race of Dunbar and the sack of Dundee will be deemed child's play. And, hark ! my boy. I trailed a pike for four long years under Turin on many a bloody field ere I obtained my colors and then I thought my fortune was made — but I am still a poor lieutenant.

Robert. But your commission gives you rank and standing, and enables you to meet the girl you love on an equal footing.

MacKay. Art in love, Robert, lad? I knew it not.

Robert. Yes, years ago, when I was page to the fair and good Countess Dumbarton, I played at children's games with, and lost my heart to, a girl of high degree, who is now a toast in camp and Court. She is a fitting mate for the highest in the land — while I am a poor, private soldier.

[Cross Right, sits on stump of tree.]

MacKay. (With foot on seat.) Well, you will need to harden your heart to-night, my lad, for if aught in Scotland will make a man swerve from his duty, it is the flashing eye and ruddy lip of fair Annie Laurie. The beauty of her person is equalled only by the winning grace of her manner. Hast seen her, lad?

Robert. (With vivacity.) A thousand times!

MacKay. And spoken to her?

Robert. Alas ! no : — at least not these five years since I left the service of the Countess.

Ichabod. (Who has been eating voraciously.) This food seems very good. Can I have some more? (Helps himself largely.) The sauce is of a new kind, but it tastes exceedingly good, and has a bite and flavor which pleases my palate.

[He eats voraciously, and spoons the brandy from his plate.]

MacKay. If we find these Dutch renegades, it will go hard with the ladies, as they are already under suspicion, and the Government is thoroughly scared by the number of plots which are unearthed every day.

Robert. (Rises.) What, in Heaven's name, can prompt ladles of honour to meddle in matters of Kirk or State?

MacKay. The great father of confusion ! But I shall be sorry to exact marching-money and free quarters from old Lady Mary.

Robert. But what is the exact accusation?

MacKay. Lord Greenock alleges that her Ladyship knows of an intended invasion from Holland, and that she harbours an emissary from that country.

Robert. (Passionately.) There are rascals at the Council board who more richly deserve the rope of the provost marshal, and Lord Green —

MacKay. Hush ! If the soldiers overhear, you are a lost man.

Robert. God save King James, say I, but to the devil with the Council, which is driving the country to ruin at full galop.

ICHABOD. Ah ! this good food warms my heart, and think me not greedy if I take some more.

[Helps himself again, and lifts the dish up, so that the brandy is drained upon his plate."]

Butler. {Up left, to Maid.) Ay, lassie, look at him; he's not so daft as I thoucht he was.

Maid. If he takes any more, he'll be drunk as a loon.

MacKay. Hush ! here comes the rascally macer. {Enter Macer Right.) Fellow, why did you not meet us as arranged?

Tammy. Troth, sir, it's an unpleasasnt job, this, and like to get a man into trouble these uncanny times ; and as I need a little strength, I stayed a little while to sample the ale at Lucky Creep's house. But the game is in the cover, and we'll catch the traitor at Madam's fireside.

ICHABOD. {Finishing his food.) Ay, now, I feel like a man inspired. Show me the bloody and papistical James, and I'll tear his head from his body.

[Bangs his fist on the table, and sweeps his plate to the floor. All rise.]

Tammy. {All outside except Tammy go up stage.) Hark! what was that? (Tammy crosses to door and peeps through keyhole of door to house.)

IcHABOD. My word, but that puddin' tasted week

[He rises and takes the best chair near the fire. Servants clear the table. Outside Tammy glues his ear to the keyhole.]

Tammy. {At door of house.) If we delay a whilie, we may discover more of this plot than we yet know. Behold the godly Master Ichabod sitting in the cosiest nuik. And isn't he as gallons a looking buckie as ever skirled a psalm in the muirlands?

Robert. Silence! wretch, or I'll trounce thee.

[Robert approaches and peeps through the window and sees Lady Mary putting a cushion behind Ichabod's head. ]

IcHABOD. {At fire singing.)

I hear a voice from Heaven, Commanding me to sing, Go forth and lead the godly host Against the bluidy King.

Lady Mary. Great Heavens ! the man is drunk ; he will bring the patrol down on the house. (Annie crosses and places a footstool for Ichabod. )

Robert. (Goes back.) Damn the fellow! Let us break in at once, MacKay, and end the business.

Tammy. (At door.) Patience, good sir. In a little while I will have evidence enough to send the whole brood to the torture.

[Robert grasps Tammy by the collar, and throws him across the stage. ]

Robert. Stay there, wretch, until you are asked for your warrant.

Tammy. (Rubbing his hands.) Oh, ho, my fine buckie, you crow brawly for the spawn of an old Covenanter — brawly indeed. But, maybe, I'll hae ye under my hands yet for your bravery and fine gewgaws.

Ichabod. (At fire.) Maiden, will ye not accompany me on your spinnet in the most godly words of the psalms ?

Annie. (In front of table.) Think of the danger of being overheard, Mr. Bounce.

Lady Mary. Yes, indeed, the singing of the Psalms may cost ye your head.

Annie. I will sing you my new song, "The Harp of the North."

Ichabod. (Rising.) Name it not, maiden, thy profane songs are an abomination in mine ear. (Annie laughs merrily.) Fair as ye are to look upon, maiden, and innocent withal, I fear me that ye are one of the backsliders of this sinful generation. "The Harp of the North," did ye say? Know ye that there is no harp, save the Harp of Zion, which is a lyre of treble-refined gold? What sayeth the sacred Writ? Is any among ye afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing Psalms. {Drops hack in chair.)

Annie. I fear me it would be but sad merriment.

Lady Mary. {Comes forward.) Peace, Annie!

Annie. Mr. Bounce's point of view and mine are as different as our natures. I sing and dance, because my heart beats merrily with the joy of living, and everything in nature seems blessed. I am sure Mr. Bounce must be nursing a secret pain either in body or mind. IcHABOD. {Rising, coming Left.) Maiden, when thoti hast perused my forthcoming book thou shalt see there in words of fire the Great and Narrow Way contrasted with the Broad and Dangerous Path that leadeth to the Sea of Flame. And that the man of sin, the Anti-Christ, which is the bloody James Stuart.

[Here a dog harks loudly inside, and Ichabod's voice dies away, and he shows signs of fear. ]

MacKay. Damn that dog. Our fellows must have stirred him up.

Annie. There's somebody trespassing outside.

IcHABOD. Perhaps the patrol.

Annie. No, no — a poacher perhaps.

Lady Mary. The dog howls eerily! God save us, that foretells Death. And far-seeing folk say that dumb brutes can see the reaper enter the house when a soul is going to depart.

IcHABOD. As I was saying, I will show thee that the blessing of Heaven will descend on the men of the Covenant.

Lady Mary. Yea, and upon their children.

IcHABOD. Even unto the third and fourth generation.

Lady Mary. My honored husband was as true a cavalier as ever wore buff, but some of my nearest have fought with the Covenanters, and I can think kindly of both.

Annie. But if our good King should permit —

IcHABOD. (Jumping up from his chair and speaking in a shrill, angry voice.) Maiden, mean ye the bloody and papistical Duke James, who contrary to the law has usurped the throne? That throne, from which justice hath debarred him! That throne, from the steps of which the blood of God's children, the saints of our oppressed and martyred Kirk, rolls down, and deluges the land ! Hark ye ! it is written, that the hour cometh, when they shall perish. On one hand, we have the power of the horned beast that sitteth on seven hills, and her best beloved son, James, with his thumbscrews, his iron boots and his gory mane, supported by the savage Amorites from the Highlands, who go bare-legged to battle, the soldiers of Dumbarton, the troopers of Claversee. In England, the Lambs of Kirke, and gallows of the butcher — Jeffreys — a sea of blood, of darkness, death and horror. But lo ! on the other hand, behold the dawn of the morn of peace, of love, of mercy, when the exile shall be restored to his hearth, and the doomed snatched from the scaffold. For the day dawneth when the saviour shall approach — and our saviour will be William of Orange.

[During this tirade Lady Mary shows signs of great uneasiness and terror. Annie smiles, amused, while on the outside the macer rubs his hands in glee.]

MacKay. (Left near door outside, to Robert.) You have heard this tirade of treason and folly?

Tammy. Damn me, it is enough to hang, draw, and quarter a whole parish.

MacKay. Soldiers, look well that none escape by the windows. You, sergeant, knock at the door.

[Sergeant bangs the door with his halberd. Lady Mary runs about as if looking for means of escape. IcHABOD staggers about and gets under table.']

IcHABOD. Oh, wae is me, the Philistines are upon me.

Sergeant. (Outside door.) We are Pontius Pilate's guards, old croaker.

Annie. (Opens a shutter and peers out.) Soldiers! Soldiers ! Oh ! Aunt Mary, we are ruined and disgraced forever.

[Lady Mary puts the light out, and Annie closes the

shutters. The butler, who is the only male attendant

in the house, enters. Ichabod is pushed into a secret

panel in the wall by Annie, and she and Lady Mary

leave the room.]

Butler. (Making a bluff at door.) Close up there,

my men, and guard all the windows. Should anyone dare

approach, fire. (To the soldiers.) Who are ye, without

there, who disturb the peace of my lady at this hour?

Gang awa, or it will be the waur for ye.

Sergeant. (Outside.) Open, rascals, or we will set the four comers of the house on fire.

Butler. (At door.) Doubtless, my bold buckie, but the walls are thick, and the windows well-grated, and we gave a stronger band of Cromwell's Puritans their stomach- full in the year 1650.

MacKay. Open, varlet, and waste not our time. We are soldiers of the King, and have a warrant of search from the Council.

Butler. Noo, ye loons,we'll gie ye a taste of Cromwell's days, if ye dinna mak' scarce in five minutes. Lads, take the plugs from the loop-holes, and burn a light in the north tower, and we'll hae a' the lads in the barony round the ears of these loons in a few minutes. [Enter Annie.] Annie. 'Tis useless, John, withdraw the bolt. [Butler opens door, and MacKay enters, backed up by Robert. Sergeant Weymss and the soldiers appear in the background. Enter maid with lighted candle. ] Annie. (Haughtily.) Good keep us, MacKay — and you Master Reid, and what way is this to approach the house of Maxwelton?

Robert. 'Tis a most unpleasant duty, Mistress Annie.

MacKay. We have information that you conceal a spy from Holland.

Annie. Your information is false.

MacKay. {Haughtily.) Enough, Mistress Annie. I will spare you the trouble of making assertions which the laws of hospitality require, but which must be humiliating to you as well as to me. Macer, guard the door. Sergeant, search the house from roof to cellar, and cut down all who interfere with you. But on your lives, no plunder.

[Sergeant, followed by soldiers, rushes past Annie to the door, the Butler and Maid flying before them. Annie stands in a corner, looking scornfully. Robert and MacKay appear somewhat ashamed. MacKay walks to the buffet, and fills a cup of wine, which he drinks, uninvited, to Annie's health.]

Robert. Mistress Laurie, surrender this guilty and foolish man, and you may avert the wrath of the alreadyincensed Council.

Annie. Never, sir, will we be guilty of such a breach of hospitality and honor. You may hew me to pieces with your swords but never would I yield a fugitive to the tortures of that infamous Council.

Robert. Beware, lest our soldiers, or that dog, the macer, overhear you.

Annie. Keep your fears and sympathies for those that like them. (She goes out.)

MacKay. (Goes to sideboard and takes glass of wine. ) Glorious v/ine, this !

Robert. This dirty work makes me ashamed of my uniform. (Enter Lady Mary Left.)

Lady Mary. Oh, God ! my sorrow is hard to bear. I have seen my brave husband and my three bonnie bairns ride off to battle and death, and save Annie Laurie, my sister's grandchild, there is none of my blood left in the world. But this disgrace and sorrow are harder to bear than all that has gone before.

[She breaks down and cries. Robert and MacKay

appear to be touched by her sorrow.] Robert. Well, Madam, perhaps our soldiers may not find the gommeral after all.