Fiction > Book editions > London, 1889 - Master of Ballantrae

2t>(3 THE MASTER OP BALT.ANTRAE.
" Henry," said the Master, with a formidable quiet-
ness, and drawing- at the same time somewhat back — ■
" Plenry, I had the honour to address you/'
"Let us be stepping homewai'd/^ says my lord to
me, who was phicking at his sleeve; and with that he
rose, stretehed himself, settled his hat, and still without
a syllable of response, began to walk steadily along the
shore.
I hesitated awhile between the two brothers, so
serious a climax did we seem to have reached. But
the Master had resumed his occupation, his eyes
lowered, his hand seemingly as deft as ever; and 1
decided to pursue my lord.
" Are you mad ? " 1 cried, so soon as I had overtook
him. " Would you cast away so fair an opportunity ? "
" Is it possible you should still believe in him ? "
inquired my lord, almost with a sneer.
" I wish him forth of this townM^ I cried. "I wish
him anywhere and anyhow but as he is."
" I have said m}- say," returned my lord, " and you
have said yours. There let it rest."
But I was bent on dislodging the Master. That
sight of him patiently returning to his needlework was
more than my imagination could digest. There was
never a man made, and the Master the least of any, that
could accept so long a series of insults. 'Ihe air smelt
blood to me. And I vowed there should be no neglect
of mine if, through any chink of possibility, crime