The sound of their voices, in an indistinct, fitful way, reached him where
he sat. At first there was nothing peculiar in the tone, but in a few
minutes it was evident that Maggie was getting angry. Allan rose then and
went slowly toward them. Where the hill touched the beach it terminated in
a point of jagged rocks about seven feet high. Maggie and Angus stood on
one side of them, Allan on the other. He was as yet unseen, but
half-a-dozen steps would bring them together. Maggie was by this time in a
passion.
"It is weel for you, Angus Raith, that my fayther is at the bottom o' the
sea," she said. "If Will was alive, or John, or Sandy, this day, ye hadna
daured to open your ill mouth to me."
"Why dinna you tell your fine brother Davie?"
"Davie is aboon sorting the like o' you. Do you think I wad hae hands that
are for the Ordinances touch you, you--born deevil?"
"Tell Maister Allan Campbell then. If a's true that's said to be true--"
"Dinna say it, Angus! Dinna say it! I warn you to keep a still tongue in
your head."
"If he isna your man, he ought to be."
In a moment she had struck him on the mouth a blow so swift and stinging
that it staggered him. Allan heard it; he stepped quickly forward and put
his hand upon her shoulder. She was quivering like a wounded bird. But she
drew herself proudly away from Allan's touch and faced Angus in a blaze of
scornful passion.
"Ay; strike me back! It wad be like you!" For the first impulse of the man
on recovering himself had been to raise his hand. "But I'd rayther you
struck me dead at your feet, than to be your wife for ane five minutes."
Angus laughed mockingly. "You kent wha was behind the rock dootless! The
blank--blank--blank fine gentleman! The----the----the----" and a volley of
epithets and imprecations followed which made Maggie put her hands to her
ears.
"Let me take you home." It was Allan who spoke, and again he laid his hand
gently upon her. She shook it angrily off. "Dinna touch me, sir!" she
cried, "I hae had scorn and sorrow in plenty for you. I can tak' mysel'
hame finely;" and she walked rapidly away with her head flung proudly
backward.
The girl had never been taught to control her feelings. She was a natural
woman suffering under a sense of insult and injustice, and resenting it.
And she was angry at Allan for being a witness to her emotion. His very
calmness had seemed like a reproof to her. Wrath, chagrin, shame,
resentment, swept in hot passionate waves over her; and the very intensity
of her mental anguish imparted to her body a kind of majesty that perforce
commanded respect.