The quaking conscience of Lady mar did indeed vary her cheeks with a
thousand dyes, when, as Helen repeated part of her conversation with
Macgregor's wife, Murray abruptly said, "Surely that woman could name
the traitor who betrayed us into the hands of our enemies! Did she not
hint it?"
Helen cast down her eyes, that even a glance might not overwhelm with
insupportable shame the already trembling countess. Lady Mar saw that
she was acquainted with her guilt, and expecting no more mercy than she
knew she would show to Helen in the like circumstances, she hastily
rose from her chair, internally vowing vengeance against her triumphant
daughter and hatred of all mankind. But Helen thought she might have
so erred, from a wife's alarm for the safety of the husband she
professed to doat on; and this dutiful daughter determined never to
accuse her.
While all the furies raged in the breast of the guilty woman, Helen
simply answered, "Lord Soulis would be weak as he is vile, to trust a
secret of that kind with a servant;" then hurried on to the relation of
subsequent events. The countess breathed again; and almost deceiving
herself with the idea that Helen was indeed ignorant of her treachery,
listened with emotions of another kind, when she heard of the rescue of
her daughter-in-law.
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