"Hackman, my good fellow, give us some light."
Capt. Hackman, with a blazing torch in each hand, appeared upon the balcony in his turn.
"It is she!" cried Fisher. "I recognize the brown domino and the blue ribbons! I can swear that it was I who furnished that mask!"
"Madam," said Mowbray with renewed demonstrations of respect, "are you here of your own free will?"
The masked woman gave an affirmative sign.
"Has any one molested or offended you in any way?"
She answered by a negative gesture.
"Esther," cried Reuben, "can it be that you have forgotten—"
Mowbray quickly interrupted him.
"Come, come, sir! Is it in so numerous a company as this that one proceeds to indulge in a family explanation, or gives a curtain lecture to a young girl? Be good enough to come up here. You will find my house open to you, but to you alone. I give you my word that if, after some moments of conversation, you still persist in claiming this young lady, she shall follow you. On the other hand you must swear to me—"