I seized the golden opportunity, stole from my retreat, and placed myself in front of the old gentleman, and, so silently, that he remained with his eyes fixed upon the book for more than a minute afterwards. Presently he looked up--he stared at me with evident surprise--for it was a rare occurrence to find himself alone with a stranger--and in a low tone he asked me “if I wished to speak with him?”
I advanced another step, knelt at the old man’s feet, and gently took his hand.
“What means this?--Who are you?” he muttered.
“A son, come hither to solicit pardon for a parent--your grandchild begs your blessing!”
“Ha! these are Ellen’s features! Merciful God!--Do I rave, or dream? Speak, boy--your name?”
“Ellen, Ellen, Ellen!” he feebly muttered; and next moment be fainted in my arms.
I was dreadfully alarmed. I thought my sudden appearance had operated fatally, called loudly for assistance, and on looking around to see whether my summons had been heard, observed that the Jesuit, followed by several men, was running towards me rapidly. In another minute he was at our side; and never, in a human countenance, were anger and astonishment so mingled as in his.
“Remove your master!” he exclaimed to the servants. “Who are you, sir?” he continued, bending his shaggy brows over eyes of sinister expression, and directing their deadly glare at me. “_How dare you_ intrude where strangers are excluded?”
“By right of kindred!” I thundered in return.
The monk’s face blanched. “Remove your master instantly,” he continued, “and eject this man--by force, if necessary!”
“Beware!” I said; “the man who tries it may count on broken bones!”
“Who are you?” the monk inquired, haughtily “Your name?--Your business?”
The men who accompanied him hesitated to obey his orders; and still the old man reclined with his head upon my breast, while my arm supported him. Certainly, of the priest’s body-guard none were gentlemen who would volunteer a forlorn hope; and, astounded at the bold tone I used to one, who at Clifford Hall had exercised a despotic authority, they seemed any thing but anxious to bring matters to hostile conclusions. But when I announced my name and relationship to their master, they all receded, leaving the matter to be settled by the Jesuit and myself.