"Do, my lady?" It was curious to notice how they all called her my lady. "I judge that Claverhouse and any servants he brings must be our guests, and of course Ross. But you know more about what we can do than I. Do you think we could invite the other officers of his troop? There will be Bruce of Earleshall and--" Then, catching Lady Cochrane's eye, he brought his maundering plans of hospitality to a close. "Doubtless you will send a letter and invite such as the castle may accommodate. I leave everything, Margaret, in your hands."
"I invite John Graham of Claverhouse and his bloody crew, officers or men it matters not, to cross our threshold and break bread within our walls--I, a daughter of the house of Cassillis and the widow of your faithful son? May my hand be smitten helpless forever if I write such a word, and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I welcome this slayer of the saints to my home!" And Lady Cochrane rose from her place and stood like a lioness at bay. "Receive that servant of the Evil One into Paisley Castle? Yea, I would receive him if I could. If early word had been sent of his approach and it were in my power, I would call together every man in this region who is true unto God and the Covenant, and I would close the gates of the castle and bid the persecutor take it by force. I should count it an honor before the Lord to shed my own blood in its defence. But I doubt that may not be."
"What shall I do, then?" in answer to a quavering question from the earl, who was now huddled in a chair before the huge open fireplace. "I would leave the castle if it were not too late, and seek some lodging till Claverhouse be gone, for I fear to dwell beneath the same roof with this man of blood lest the Lord smite us with a common destruction. See him or speak with him I will not; I will to my own rooms, and there I will seclude myself, praying that God may speedily judge this man, and cast him from his place. Lord Dundonald, I will leave it to you to play the host: very likely ye will not have much sorrow over it, for ye have more than a friendly heart to the Malignants."
"It seems to me, if I be not too bold in saying it, that ye are taking a wise course, my lady, for there might arise some slight debate between you and Claverhouse, and that in the present circumstances would not be convenient. Not quite, as I said, convenient. You are a brave woman, Margaret, and worthy of your honorable house, but Claverhouse is the king's officer, and I forget--my memory is not what it was--the number of men in a troop, but he has two troops with him. Apart from that," rambled on the earl, "we must remember John, who is in danger, and we may not give offence if we can speak a canny word which will get the right side of Claverhouse."