With a sudden application of his knee Malcolm sent the
door wide, and entered the hall, with his pipes in full cry. The
house resounded with their yell--but only for one moment. For
down the stair, like bolt from catapult, came Demon, Florimel's
huge Irish staghound, and springing on Malcolm, put an instant end
to his music. The footman laughed with exultation, expecting to
see him torn to pieces. But when instead he saw the fierce animal,
a foot on each of his shoulders, licking Malcolm's face with long
fiery tongue, he began to doubt.
"The dog knows you," he said sulkily.
"So shall you, before long," returned Malcolm. "Was it my fault
that I made the mistake of looking for civility from you? One word
to the dog, and he has you by the throat."
"I'll go and fetch Wallis," said the man, and closing the door,
left the hall.
Now this Wallis had been a fellow servant of Malcolm's at Lossie
House, but he did not know that he had gone with Lady Bellair when
she took Florimel away: almost everyone had left at the same time.
He was now glad indeed to learn that there was one amongst the
servants who knew him.
Wallis presently made his appearance, with a dish in his hands, on
his way to the dining room, from which came the confused noises of
the feast.
"You'll be come up to wait on Lady Lossie," he said.
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