Unable to speak, and with a countenance such as satan might be supposed to have assumed directly after his fall into the abyss, Mac Donalbain rushed forth, and Megret proceeded in triumph to the castle.
'It is still problematical,' soliloquized Arwed, 'with which of the two Christine would be most miserable. I become more and more doubtful with regard to Megret. The Scot received but his deserts, although it is no honest man who assumes the duty of executioner,--for no one but a finished villain could have taken such pleasure in stretching his victim upon the rack.'
His uncle now hastily approached him from the castle, with an open letter in his hand, and a face expressive of delighted anticipation.
'Have you spoken with old Brodin?' he anxiously asked.
'I have,' answered Arwed; and the recollection of the loss of Georgina drew a deep sigh from his bosom.
'You are now wholly free, Arwed,' cried the uncle, with heartfelt love. 'May I hope that in a beloved nephew I may soon embrace a son-in-law?'
Arwed, perceiving whither this question must lead, foresaw the unpleasant scene which the contest between his uncle's will and Christine's passion would produce, and remained silent.
'Do not fear,' his uncle anxiously added, 'that your consent will be extorted. Read this letter. Your father desires this union, but he leaves your will free. Yet should I think, that as your beloved has loosed the chains which bound you, you certainly would make some effort to gratify an old man who loves you with his whole heart, and knows not better how to secure the happiness of his only child than by placing her hand in yours.'
'I gratefully acknowledge your paternal goodness,' answered Arwed, evasively. 'But I beg of you to leave me time for self-examination. My sorrow is yet new, and for Christine I may safely affirm that a union with me is very far from her thoughts. Besides, I need time to familiarize myself with my new position, and enable me to come to a decision.'
'I know my daughter,' cried the uncle. 'There was for a time something strange and adverse in her conduct which often perplexed me; but in the main her heart is good; and a thousand trifling things have convinced me that she likes you. Upon the word of a knight, she will not say nay!'