"Sir!" said he, darting an enraged glance on the strange man, "are you a fool? Do you not see the hair of the man you would accuse is black as midnight, while you affirm that of the one who fired my mansion to have been of a flaxen hue?"
The hermit seemed not in the least disconcerted by this speech. Raising the long cane on which his arms had been resting, he lifted the black cloud of curls from the head of Col. Malcome and dashed it upon the floor.
"Herbert Mervale!" shrieked the invalided Mrs. Howard.
On hearing this voice the muffled man, who had thrown off his broad-brimmed hat, turned suddenly round.
"And Ralph Greyson!" she added.
Then throwing her arms around the wasted form of Edith Malcome, she exclaimed: "My daughter! my daughter! is it thus I find you?" and sank insensible on the sofa beside her.
Hannah Doliver sprang toward Rufus, covering him with kisses and calling him her "dear, dear son."
The young man threw her roughly to the floor, and, alarmed by the sudden scene of tumult and confusion, rushed into the street.
Florence clung close to the side of her father, who seemed struck dumb with horror and amaze.
At length the sheriff approached him. "Do you wish further proofs against the man we accuse?" he demanded.