"Dare not!" echoed the young man, angrily.
"Not unless you want to be called an unnatural son, my boy!" Leo stared, not taking in the meaning of this speech. "For you are my son, Leo," added Pratt in low tones, his eyes never leaving Haverleigh's face.
"Your—your—Great Heavens!"
Mrs Gabriel burst into a taunting laugh. "Ah, you know it at last!" she cried triumphantly. "And he has told you after threatening me with all sorts of things to keep me silent."
"It's—it's not true!" gasped Leo.
"It is perfectly true," said the woman, jeeringly. "You are the son of the cleverest thief in the three kingdoms."
"Hold your tongue, you hag!" shouted Pratt, angrily, for Leo was as white as ashes and his face wore an expression of terrible agony.
"I won't be quiet. You told him yourself, and now he shall know all—as the vicar does," finished Mrs Gabriel, laughing fiercely.
Leo started to his feet. "Sybil!" he cried out, staring at his enemy. "I know now why the vicar will not let me marry her. You—you—"
"Told him you were an illegitimate son," said Mrs Gabriel, rapidly. "I did not say who was your father, but now that Pratt's true character is known I shall tell Tempest everything. Then we shall see if he will let you speak to Sybil again."