Excerpt: ...of that night's scandal which she might not have so kindly rendered had she known of them, said: "Mrs. Murdock, do you know what happened last night?" "Aye, surely, me leddy, I ken a' about it, if your leddyship means the fause witness o' that de'il Frisbie," said the housekeeper, growing red with emotion. "It was a false witness! a base, wicked, infamous calumny! I think the more highly of you, Mrs. Murdock, for so quickly detecting this. And I thank you," said Claudia, with difficulty restraining the tears, ...
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Excerpt: ...of that night's scandal which she might not have so kindly rendered had she known of them, said: "Mrs. Murdock, do you know what happened last night?" "Aye, surely, me leddy, I ken a' about it, if your leddyship means the fause witness o' that de'il Frisbie," said the housekeeper, growing red with emotion. "It was a false witness! a base, wicked, infamous calumny! I think the more highly of you, Mrs. Murdock, for so quickly detecting this. And I thank you," said Claudia, with difficulty restraining the tears, which for the first time since her great wrong were ready to burst from her eyes. "Ou, aye, me leddy! It did na require the Witch of Endor to see the truth of that business. Ye'll see I ken Laird Vincent and Frisbie and the player-quean, wha is worst o' a'! And I hanna served ye, me leddy, these twa months without keening yer ladyship as well. And sae I ken the differ, me leddy. I ken the differ--" "Oh, Mrs. Murdock, in this deep desolation I find some comfort in your faith in me!" "And sae I dinna believe a word the fause knave Frisbie says. And neither does auld Cuthbert, honest man! But wae's me, me leddy, whate'er our convictions may be, we canna disprove the lees o' yon de'il." "No, we cannot," said Claudia, with a sigh of despair; "and unless Providence intervenes to save me, I am lost." "Aweel, me leddy, ye maun just hope that he will intervene. Na, na, dinna greet sae sairly!" the good woman entreated, for Claudia had burst into a flood of tears, and was weeping bitterly. This refreshed her spirit and cleared her brain. Presently, wiping her eyes and looking up, she said: "Mrs. Murdock, I cannot meet those wretches at breakfast. Send me some coffee; and order the carriage to be at the door in an hour; also send Sally, who must be at hand by this time, to help me pack." The dame went on this errand, and after a short absence returned, bringing Claudia's breakfast on a tray. "Where is Sally?" inquired Lady Vincent, as the housekeeper...
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