"Come in yersel' an' see," he added.
"I daurna! I daurna!" she said. But she lingered about the door.
CHAPTER LXX: THE DISCLOSURE
When the earl saw Malcolm coming, although he was no coward, and
had reason to trust his skill, yet knowing himself both in the wrong
and vastly inferior in strength to his enemy, it may be pardoned
him that for the next few seconds his heart doubled its beats. But
of all things he must not show fear before Florimel!
"What can the fellow be after now?" he said. "I must go down to
him."
"No, no; don't go near him--he may be violent," objected Florimel,
and laid her hand on his arm with a beseeching look in her face.
"He is a dangerous man."
Liftore laughed.
"Stop here till I return," he said, and left the room.
But Florimel followed, fearful of what might happen, and enraged
with her brother.
Malcolm's brief detention by Lizzy gave Liftore a little advantage,
for just as Malcolm approached the top of the great staircase,
Liftore gained it. Hastening to secure the command of the position,
and resolved to shun all parley, he stood ready to strike. Malcolm,
however, caught sight of him and his attitude in time, and, fearful
of breaking his word to Lizzy, pulled himself up abruptly a few
steps from the top--just as Florimel appeared.
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