Chapter 33
From the agitating scene in the Queen's presence-chamber, the Lady of Lochleven retreated to her own apartment, and ordered the steward to be called before her. "Have they not disarmed thee, Dryfesdale?" she said, on seeing him enter, accoutred, as usual, with sword and dagger. "No!" replied the old man; "how should they?--Your ladyship, when you commanded me to ward, said nought of laying down my arms; and, I think none of your menials, without your order, or your son's, dare approach Jasper Dryfesdale for such a purpose.--Shall I now give up my sword to you?--it is worth little now, for it has fought for your house till it is worn down to old iron, like the pantler's old chipping knife." "You have attempted a deadly crime--poison under trust." "Under trust?--hem!--I know not
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