was in the room with the dish in his hands, and speaking at least
intelligibly; the cork of the champagne bottle was pushing hard
against his palm, and he had no time to question. He peeped into
Malcolm's dish.

"Take it round, then," he said. So Malcolm settled into the business
of the hour.

It was some time, after he knew where she was, before he ventured
to look at his sister: he would have her already familiarised with
his presence before their eyes met. That crisis did not arrive
during dinner.

Lord Liftore was one of the company, and so, to Malcolm's pleasure,
for he felt in him an ally against the earl, was Florimel's mysterious
friend.



CHAPTER XII: A NEW LIVERY


Scarcely had the ladies gone to the drawing room, when Florimel's
maid, who knew Malcolm, came in quest of him. Lady Lossie desired
to see him.

"What is the meaning of this, MacPhail?" she said, when he entered
the room where she sat alone. "I did not send for you. Indeed, I
thought you had been dismissed with the rest of the servants."